Glendowie Showhome

One of our earlier Residential Concrete commissions in 2000 responded to a competition brief from Firth to design a new century home concept. It remains once of our favourtes and looks as up to the minute as it did on completion in 2001. Our design response proposed a simple idea of an Internal Street separating adult and child spaces for living and sleeping either side of a transition and circulation zone (street). The Internal Street used a Peter Fell concrete finish which delivered the practical separation of the solid concrete formed walls and doorways. Simple structural forms were used either side of the street with the Family form being a lighter element with large glazing units, and the Formal form (with Master Suite on the upper level) being a more solid and reclusive space for adult or winter living. The Master Bedroom used a 'floating' roof structure with narrow glazing panels extending from the floor to ceiling joinery units around the top of the walls giving the room a restful and contemplative feel. The Formal Living area included a raised hearth with storage under enabling a clutter free space. The hearth being a favourite place to sit with our show-home visitors. The Open Plan Family Room and Kitchen continued the Peter Fell feature floor finish with a tinted concrete mixture, a very practical solution with direct outdoor access to the outdoor court. The Firth Showhome was completed in 2001 and was open to the public for a 3 month period. It was used as a location studio for the 5:30 with Jude afternoon magazine program that aired in that year.