TORRENS COTTESLOE

With views overlooking Cottesloe’s famed beaches and iconic pines, Torrens encompasses the latest in home automation technology and striking contemporary design.

Built over three levels, the home was to be large enough to accommodate the entire family, yet require minimal maintenance and have an ability to lock and leave with ease. With this in mind, it was planned that the entire top floor would be fully serviced with a single Master Bedroom, generous walk through robe and ensuite, study with floor to ceiling book case, open plan kitchen/dining living and an alfresco area enclosed by a retractable roof. This top floor provided everything the client required, with the knowledge that the ground floor would be available for family and guests when necessary.

The Ground Floor consists of three master sized bedrooms each with their own built in robes and ensuite. A large entertaining area combines a theatre, kitchen and access to the pool and lower alfresco.

The basement level consists of an eight car garage with temperature controlled wine cellar, several stores, enclosed plant & equipment and the personnel lift servicing all levels.

A fully integrated home automation system sees everything from lights, blinds, curtains, security, intercom, sound, TV and even the fireplace, all operated from the touch screen panel located on level one. Hydronic floor heating has been installed throughout the entire ground and first floors, to provide a natural ambient warmth in the cooler months.

The site, being located at the end of a busy cul de sac surrounded by various single and multi-unit dwellings, required significant site management to ensure neighbours could gain access and go about their daily activities without the burden of adjacent building activities. A major challenge to the project was excavating and building the basement garage which took up almost the entirety of the sloping site. Substantial deep piling and retaining works adjacent all three boundaries took place throughout the winter months.

As crucial as these structural works were, significant to the project meeting a tight completion programme was the procurement of the Swiss manufactured “Skyframe” full height sliding glass doors to the first floor. The first floor level cantilevers 2.5m over the ground floor and spans fourteen metres across the front elevation, highlighted by the self-supporting steel truss roof system. This unique engineering design combined with the Skyframe glazing system allowed for the entire top floor to open as one outdoor living area.

To finish the home, a neutral, understated palette of expansive stone tiling, luxurious cabinet finishes, American oak timber flooring and naturally lit and well ventilated living spaces provided the perfect balance of well-appointed yet modest living.

It has been a privilege to develop this prestigious home with many thanks and credit to Paul Hofman of Hofman & Brown Architects for his expert skill, direction and care throughout the process.