HOME AWAY: Stunning Australian Architectural Homes You Can Check Into
Some of the best places to stay aren’t hotels. And some of the best examples of design are by architects and interior designers who specialise in residential projects. Design Travel has partnered with Australia’s number one holiday rental website, Stayz, to uncover some of Australia’s most impressive architecture from behind closed doors. Whether it’s a tent-inspired home or an uber-cool Dutch aesthetic, check-out these homes for your next weekend away.
The incredible hideaway house, Clifftop at Hepburn, was designed by local Daylesford architect Robin Larsen, and is a spectacular getaway of uncommon design and unparalleled luxury. It was the winner of the Stayz Holiday Rental Award for Interior & Design in 2016 (beating 40,000 other properties!) and voted Travel Insider's Most Romantic Getaway in Victoria. Towering windows frame panoramic views that plunge from the site of an old pine forest down a sheer cliff face, unrolling onto native bushland below. This is the place to relax and reconnect - with an infinity day bed, 65" high definition television and Bose surround sound, and designer luxuries like an imported French fireplace, couples spa, Italian Washplane sinks, Apaiser stone baths, decadent wooden floors, high beamed ceilings and wraparound windows that showcase nature from every room. The retreat accommodates four guests with two bedrooms and bathrooms.
At the start of the Great Ocean Road lies Lorne, and Aura 24. The concept of open plan living is taken one step further in this beautiful and practical property, with dual living zones, both offering kitchen, dining and lounge areas. Quality furnishings and fixtures are met with state of the art iPad technology interfacing with a range of multimedia throughout. Natural light abounds and the natural bush setting peeks through the windows - big and small - throughout the property. The house accommodates 15 guests with five bedrooms and four bathrooms.
Famously known as Seidler House, this is arguably renowned architect, Harry Seidler’s, most striking residential masterpiece. Built into the natural rock formation in the Southern Highlands just south of Sydney, this award-winning design was completed in 2000 and positioned on the edge of a rugged sandstone escarpment with panoramic bush views. Opposing curved roofs, local stone, Alta quartzite floors, Verde marina granite and Norwegian stone are all artfully blended together to create a breathtaking indoor atmosphere. White walls complement the stone, and generous living spaces with open fireplaces crafted together to create a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor. With the incredible view, comes cantilevered viewing decks, feature gardens and a central swimming pool that is just superb. Seidler House is a sculpture in itself, standing proudly among 150 acres of natural bush with 2kms of river. It’s super private and accommodates eight guests with four bedrooms and two bathroom
Designed by the homeowners themselves, Elevation Byron Bay features a modern design and custom-made interior features. Their focus was on maximising the home’s textures and colours, and avoiding a cottage or coastal theme, which frankly is par for the course if you’re staying seaside. The property sleeps up to eight guests, with four bedrooms and bathrooms. There’s a gorgeous pool and heated spa that can be used all year round, a Gaggenau entertainers kitchen and on-trend butlers pantry (hire in a local chef to really test it out!).
In Little Cove in Noosa, Queensland, you’ll find 30 Mitti Street. Architect, Dan Sparks, based the design of this tent-inspired home on Gabriel Poole’s 1990s tent concept to such fabulous effect that it was the winner of the 2017 Queensland Regional Architecture Awards: House of the Year. It’s hard not to notice the beautiful pool that the home is built around, the beautiful timber panelling throughout and the light, airy openness that the design creates. Accommodates 10 guests with five bedrooms and four bathrooms
Staying at this Whale Beach home is an experience in itself, having won both the 2009 AIA NSW Chapter Wilkinson Award and 2009 AIA National Architecture Award. Whaley features floor to ceiling windows throughout, capturing the stunning ocean views and creating a beautiful light atmosphere when combined with the warm timber surrounds. Whaley accommodates nine guests with five bedrooms and three bathrooms.
