The design of the new townhouse development in Kooyong has a garden setting, nestled within a lush landscape. What appears to be a single residence from the street front behind a wall of paved brick tiles is a multi-dwelling development of six spacious two-storey townhouses by Outline Projects. Each is abundant with natural light and ventilation, and equipped with all the comforts and solid finishes desired by any empty nester, along with a basement, double garage and private lift.
The architects at Kennedy Nolan who designed the new townhouse development were careful about selecting the materials palette because it was important for the materials to work well in the garden landscape. The palette also had to consider elements from the neighbourhood.
Jacky Oro, architect, Kennedy Nolan, explains, “Because of the intent to build within the garden, when it came to selecting the material palette, choosing materials that would work well in a garden setting was important. We also looked at other dwellings in the area and introduced those textures and crafts into the building. That’s why we liked the brickwork, to introduce texture and warmth into the palette.”
Kooyong sits well within its Armadale context, forming a strong visual relationship with the existing homes on the street, and also subtly makes its mark with contemporary references to the neighbourhood’s arts and crafts. A striking combination of brick and cement render, paired with steel accents on shrouds, window reveals and recesses looks purpose-built for the area, yet offers unique, detailed accents for a truly special outcome.
The brick walls are paved with Rustic Tan brick tiles, supplied by Robertson's Building Products Pty Ltd. While the townhouses are predominantly rendered, the pedestrian access at the front of the building and a double arched wall at the back entrance are covered in Rustic Tan brick tiles laid in a herringbone pattern – a very clever and attractive application of these tiles.
“We used the herringbone pattern as an opportunity not just to create texture from the brick tile, but to accent the actual craft of the bricklayer, that craft in itself,” says Oro.
“You walk around those walls and have a good close proximity to them in both instances where they’re used. They’re immediate to you, so you can actually appreciate the warmth and texture of the brick tiles up close.
“We particularly liked the depth of colour and the texture of the Rustic Tan brick tiles, because they worked well with the overall palette... and we like the dimension of them – the thinness and their format, which work well from a practical point of view,” adds Oro.
Photographer: Derek Swalwell
