Style: June 02, 2017

26 STYLE | home
Finding the ideal place to call home can
be a challenge, and for these homeowners
the decision to build meant not having to
compromise on their wants. “You know when
you find what you are looking for, and we just
couldn’t find it,” they explain. “So we decided
to create it for ourselves.”
Seeking a home that was functional, familyfriendly
and able to change and develop as
their young children grew, the couple turned
to designers Tobin Smith and Blair Paterson
of CoLab Architecture. “It is incredibly
important that you can relate to your designer
and we instantly knew they understood what
we wanted. Coupled with our builder, Clive
Barrington they were a dream team.”
For Tobin the synergy in the working
relationship is one that made this project
particularly special. “The homeowners knew
how they wanted their home to function,
both now and into the future, which allowed
us to really understand and visualise how they
wanted their home to perform; and Clive
and his team were execptional at planning –
staying one step ahead right throughout.”
Describing the finished product as a
“generous family home” Tobin and Blair have
added their characteristic style to the project,
transforming it from a simple structure into
something special. “There is beauty to be
found in simplicity,” explains Tobin, a feat
perfectly embodied here.
From the exterior the form is highlighted
through a play on black and white. Of
particular note is the use of a metal cladding
on the upper level of the home. Emphasising
the lines of the home it brings an element of
texture and depth, while enhancing the sense
that this is something much more than simply
a black and white home.
“Classic design is achieved through
simplicity and strength of concept,” offers
Tobin. “And in this case it was about blending
together all the clients’ wishes into a cohesive
structure.”
Merging the need for a self-contained guest
quarter, multiple living areas, open spaces for
entertaining and plenty of indoor-outdoor
flow; the finished product has surpassed the
homeowners’ expectation. “From coming
through the front door, to the overall flow
and feeling that has been achieved, we love
all of it.”
“It is classic, with elements of added visual
interest,” continues the owner. “There are
so many beautiful architectural details which
lift it beyond being simple.” One such detail
is the use of skylights, which with their lack of
frames appear more as holes in the ceiling. A
feat highlighted with the narrow slot window,
in the formal living area. “The window
extends up into a skylight,” explains Tobin. “It
offers privacy to the outdoor courtyard, which
is connected to the separate guest quarter,
while performing in a practical sense to bring
natural light into the room.”
“You know when you find what you are
looking for, and we just couldn’t find it.
So we decided to create it for ourselves.”
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