Bondi Penthouse by MPR Design Group Pty Ltd; photo courtesy of the architects

A Sydney-based architectural practice MPR Design Group Pty Ltd has realised this single-family apartment located within the historical part of the city. Completed in 2010, the project stemmed from an idea of adding a structure to ‘an existing environment to which it contributes to form a place in one of Sydney’s iconic beaches.’ (more…)

Klein Bottle House by McBride Charles Ryan; photo by John Gollings

Inspired by the complex topology of Klein bottle, which, in mathematics is described as a ‘non-orientable, closed surface with only one side, formed by passing one end of a tube through the side of the tube and joining it to the other end,’ architects Rob McBride and Debbie-Lyn Ryan of the Australian architectural practice McBride Charles Ryan have developed this experimental and highly expressive holiday house located less than 100 km away from Melbourne, among the sand dunes of the Mornington Peninsula. Covering a total floor area of 258-square-meters, the black and white, origami-like residence encompasses three bedrooms, a separate living and recreation area and two terraces overlooking the surrounding national park.

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Letterbox House by McBride Charles Ryan; photo by John Gollings

While Italians gather in their piazzas and the French take their café au lait, whilst people-watching, seated side by side in front of innumerable brasseries, it is fair to say that there’s no nation with more love for the outdoors than the Aussies. Not only more than 80% of country’s population lives within 50 kilometres of the beach, but Australia’s year-round warm weather also encourages the much-enjoyed alfresco activities. Taking the cue from that particular national penchant, Australian architectural practice McBride Charles Ryan have developed this multifaceted single family house, which they describe as ‘a new version of the good old Aussie verandah.’ (more…)

Puckapunyal Military Area Memorial Chapel by BVN; photo by John Gollings

The award-winning Melbourne-based practice BVN Architecture has recently unveiled its latest project, the Puckapunyal Military Area Memorial Chapel located within the Puckapunyal Military Base in Seymour, Victoria. (more…)

Narrabeen House by Chrofi; photo by Simon Whitbread

The Australian practice Choi Ropiha Fighera has realised this two-storey retreat house located in a tranquil suburban area of North Narrabeen, New South Wales, Australia. Although not immediately visible, the 300-square-meters structure encompasses two-storeys and a pool situated in the Narrabeen Lagoon-facing courtyard.

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Strelein Warehouse by Ian Moore Architects; photo by Iain D. MacKenzie

The Australian practice established in 1990 by the New Zeland-born architect Ian Moore has given this 19th-century grocery warehouse a new lease of life by converting it into a stylish, black-and-white residence. (more…)

Volker Haug's 'Rudolph' porcelain pendant light, from his 'Antler' range

Presented during the recent London Design Festival under the auspices of the somewhat tongue-in-cheekly named group exhibition ‘Matilda’, which showcased the work of a number of Australian-based designers in the UK for the first time, Volker Haug’s highly graphic, highly architectural porcelain lighting enthralled visitors. (more…)

‘BIG ROCK JETTY’ by Edward Szewczyk & Associates Architects

The Australian architectural practice Edward Szewczyk & Associates realised this weekend home two hours drive from Sydney. A beautiful detail is the jetty/gazebo, a small structure located at the edge between the dam and forest. The jetty is suspended above the water and the gazebo is suspended toward the trees. It is larger and caters to more social activity such as swimming, fishing and picnics at sunset. The smaller gazebo is quieter: a place of reflection, watching the birds and reading a book. No part of the deck touches the water or forest emphasising respect to those natural elements. The form is essentially made of three horizontal planes: the surface of water, deck and roof.

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