Salvador Dali and challenging narrow block in Malvern with a flood overlay inspired a stacked block form that twists and curves to soften and respond to its context.

With an already approved home next door which presented 3 stories to the street, we were provided with an opportunity to maximise our frontage in response. The client who is a car collector needed a large garage which was to be placed in the basement. However, the narrow plot and a flooding overlay would result in an unfeasibly long ramp. Our solution was to put the garage along with a cellar, theatre/party room and gym at ground level which becomes submerged due to the fall of the land as it goes back and put the main entry and living spaces on the elevated first level.

We designed a landscape journey from the street rising and meandering to an entry which was concealed from the street by a curved facade. This meandering narrative was applied to the form of the building with each stacked layer opposing the next. This tool was also used at the rear which is cranked to allow greater sun penetration into the southern neighbours habitable spaces.

The interiors were designed as an exciting collection of spaces, each with a different primary form but tied together using consistent material tones and light. Upon entry, you are greeted by a sculptural art piece that is placed on a plinth and curved antique brass background. Only when travelling further into space do you realise that the curved form is actually the back of the staircase with a completely fluid form inspired by Salvador Dali. The background to the stair is a narrow 15m long skylight which becomes a lightwell to the basement stair behind and bathes a gallery wall in natural light which is carefully controlled through the use of baffles.

The next space is the dining room which is semi separated from the stair via a series of timber posts that then crank and line the ceiling leading the eye towards the garden yet framing the dining room and the gallery wall beyond. The dining room forms part of the open plan yet zoned family area. A guest bedroom, sitting room and study are also placed on the ground floor. Upstairs a further work from home study, two bedrooms including the master suite with a brass lined skylight to the WIR are located.

Status: unbuilt