GEORGE GORROW HOUSE
"Built in a decade of questionable aesthetic sensibility, the original structure architect Marika Järv was faced with sported many hallmarks of its era – blond brick walls, vermiculite ceilings and dark, compartmentalized layout. Thankfully her client had seen beyond these attributes when purchasing the property, and was keen to radically change the structure.
“The brief was to create a large open plan living/entertaining area, and to provide the most seamless connection to the outside rear pool area” explains Järv, “In terms of aesthetics, the client was well travelled and an avid surfer, so it was essential the house conveyed a relaxed beach-side quality, yet had international appeal, specifically reflecting time spent in New York.”
Thus began a collaborative, experimental and occasionally spontaneous design process. The client’s open-mindedness allowed Järv to push her creative limits and incorporate materials and details that more conventional residents would shy away from. This included exposed brass taps and plumbing in the bathrooms, black ceramic basins and cement rendering on all the walls (including the shower spaces) instead of the more traditional finish of tiles. “At one stage we were considering using copper sheet for the kitchen benchtops (which would have been amazing!), but unfortunately budget constraints wouldn’t permit”, she adds."
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