Armadale Residence

In making this remarkable home, the architect was the client, and the residence became the catalyst to achieve a truly remarkable living space for himself and his family, incorporating a lifetime of learnings in design to perfectly synthesise architecture and interior living spaces.

This home rises three generous levels above its stunning natural setting on a mature urban park. It’s unique in the way it has accommodated the requirements to house and delight eight occupants of four different generations, and all with different needs on what is a relatively small site.

All things considered

Before it was transformed, the architect lived in the warehouse space for 10 years developing an intimate knowledge of its light and space within – its potential giving rise to the most exquisite and difficult of briefs: to create the ultimate home for his new young family while accommodating extended family in a space dedicated to their individual needs.

The main family home hovers above on two levels with a completely self-contained residence on the ground floor. The management of natural daylight and artificial light was of utmost importance so orientation and expansive high-performance glazing and operable windows systems to maximise ventilation were key to keeping the internal environment freshly supplied with air.

Extraordinary attention to the acoustic properties of the home’s interior through the use of a concrete slab, masonry walls, effective insulation and engineered noise abating double glazing create an inner sanctuary where the occupants can celebrate silence and hear the sounds of nature from the adjacent parklands. This is a project in which every dimension of the inhabitant’s well-being has been considered, and artfully provided for.

Innovation in sound light and space

The highest innovation of the Armadale residence comes from its extraordinary consideration of each occupant and the way this is achieved by connecting to a major park with mature trees and beautiful landscaping. Accordingly, the house opens on all levels with magnificent floor to ceiling windows overlooking the park eliminating the need for outdoor space within the perimeter. Everyone becomes connected to nature through this expansive glazing which is further enhanced with custom designed recessed windows and innovative skylights to maximise views and transmission of natural daylight deep within the space.

Concrete was used as a sculptural component throughout the home from the massive structure that forms the façade through to the spiral staircase, a signature Rob Mills element, that sits under an impressive feature double glazed skylight, allowing the eye to glide, unimpeded, to the sky above. Columns curve and taper, imitating natural forms. But the concrete is also fundamental to the exacting acoustic engineering of the home which uses its insulating properties combined with highly engineered glazing to manage sound and eliminate reverberation.

“With Armadale Residence we aimed to create a healthy building. To achieve this, we looked not only at fresh air and the proximity to the trees and the park but also at the use of organic and low-VOC paints and glues, indirect lighting, cross-ventilation and low-e glass. It is the experiential aspect of architecture and we are paying more and more attention to it at Rob Mills Architecture.” – Rob Mills, Architect