Curatorial House, Toorak

Curatorial House is a finely tuned contemporary residence nestled on a leafy site in Melbourne’s Toorak. This architectural masterpiece by Taylor Pressly Architects is spread across five generous levels, taking in views of Melbourne’s skyline on one side and parkland on the other. 

The perfect residence is the sum of many parts – architecture, furniture, product, landscape, art – all play an important role in making a house a thoroughly modern and warm home. Curatorial House is such a residence, flying the flag for the value these layers of culture bring to a project, and in particular what art and natural daylight can bring to a space.

The architectural bones of the building – such as its swathes of high ceilings, a central triple-height void and vast use of glazing – are highlighted by the placement of select pieces of art at strategic locations. The clean architectural lines, immaculate construction detailing, and material and colour palettes compose a complete domestic experience where art is in sync with life.

There isn’t a single painted wall or timber floorboard, instead, marble slabs and polished grey plaster interconnect seamlessly with iaSlim Channel Frame windows, with subtle brass accents in the door frames, staircase, lighting and tapware.

ENTERTAIN or to relax

As the home is designed for frequent entertainers, the layout and floorplan were crucial to ensuring suitable flow when hosting guests or catering to just the owners.

Enter Curatorial House through an impressive custom made iaSlim pivot door. The basement and ground floor are dedicated solely to relaxation. A lounge and pool table, bar and cellar, and home cinema occupy the basement, while the ground floor contains four bedrooms with en suites, a study and an informal lounge beyond.

The first floor is the assigned entertaining level. Here, a large family room featuring 6-metre high windows, complemented by iaSlim Channel Frame windows and glass pivot doors, provide seamless views across the treetops beyond. Two separate dining spaces (formal and informal), a sitting room and two kitchens make up the remainder of this level. 

On the second floor the primary bedroom, with iaSlim Channel Frame windows, overlooks the park and cityscape beyond, while the third and final floor features a bar, sitting and dining space swathed by expansive windows for penthouse-style entertaining. 

The lap pool can be comfortably used all year thanks to the custom glass roof by Innovative Vision Statements.

Sophisticated and glamorous, Curatorial House doesn’t shy away from making a statement through rich materiality, bold artworks and jewel-toned furniture. Yet despite all of these layered elements cohabitating, there’s a certain calmness throughout.

“Curatorial House is a delightfully unexpected home.”  – Taylor Pressly, architect