Designed as a long-term family home, this large property in Royston Park balances refined architectural restraint with an exceptional level of construction detail and craftsmanship.

The brief focused on creating a calm and highly refined home that balanced aesthetic presence with practical everyday living. The design sought to combine clean minimalist forms, warm natural materials, and carefully integrated recreational spaces while maintaining a strong sense of openness and connection throughout the site.

Feature stone cladding, custom steel fencing, and prominent ribbed roof sheeting combine to create a strong street presence, while curved forms soften the overall form and introduce a more sculptural architectural language.

The simplicity of the exterior form demanded a meticulous level of construction precision throughout. Flush eaves detailed directly against feature stonework, curved glazing elements, and carefully resolved junctions between materials all required close collaboration between trades to maintain the crisp architectural intent of the design.

Environmental Sustainability

Sustainability principles were carefully integrated throughout the project, balancing energy efficiency, durability, and long-term liveability. The residence includes provision for a 10.79kW solar system, high-performance glazing, and zoned mechanical systems designed to optimise energy use and the owners’ comfort.

Passive design principles informed the planning of the home, with natural light, cross ventilation, and shaded outdoor living zones contributing to reduced energy demand throughout the year. Water management strategies include rainwater reuse connected to WC systems alongside engineered stormwater solutions tailored specifically to the site conditions.

Material selection focused on durability and low maintenance, while the quality of construction detailing throughout the project supports the long-term performance and longevity of the residence. The project reflects Finesse Built’s ongoing focus on refined detailing, craftsmanship, and the creation of long-term generational family homes.

A sweeping curved stone feature wall, and overhead curved glazing creates a sculptural arrival that immediately establishes the home’s softer architectural language. Timber detailing extends flush into the soffit.

Exposed aggregate stepping stones guide movement from the custom steel front gate toward the oversized timber entry door, where the material palette transitions into large-format herringbone timber flooring inside. The curved stone feature wall continues uninterrupted from exterior to interior, visually linking both sides of the threshold through the glazed sidelight beside the entry door.

The open-plan living space embraces a restrained and minimalist aesthetic where proportion, natural light, and materiality become the defining elements of the interior. Square-set ceilings, recessed linear air-conditioning vents, and carefully integrated lighting details minimise visual clutter and reinforce the calm simplicity of the architectural form.

White-framed glazing softens the palette and allows the warmth of the timber flooring and furnishings to take focus throughout the space. A sculptural curved fireplace wall featuring subtle fluted detailing anchors the room, while expansive corner glazing looks directly onto the pool outside.

The kitchen combines simple luxury with highly refined detailing and craftsmanship. Full-height white cabinetry with minimal brass hardware creates a calm aesthetic backdrop, while the stone-clad waterfall island introduces warmth through integrated timber drawer fronts. A curved edge detail to one corner of the island with a corresponding fluted timber feature below subtly mirrors the form of the fireplace within the adjoining living area.

Above the stove top, a sculptural tiled rangehood rises in front of an extended stone splashback, creating a strong vertical focal point while maintaining the clean visual simplicity of the space.

Behind the main kitchen, a concealed butler’s pantry provides extensive storage and preparation areas while maintaining the restrained appearance of the central living spaces. A linear skylight, floating timber shelf, and carefully considered detailing ensure the narrow footprint still feels open, bright, and highly functional.

Finished with the same level of detail and refinement as the internal living spaces, the alfresco dining area operates as a true extension of the home rather than a secondary outdoor zone. Skylights overhead introduce natural light throughout the covered entertaining space, while carefully integrated finishes maintain continuity between interior and exterior living.

A bifold servery window connects directly back to the kitchen, with a recessed lower track allowing the benchtops to transition seamlessly from inside to outside. Integrated barbecue facilities, frameless pool fencing, and direct access to the surrounding outdoor spaces reinforce the home’s focus on entertaining and family living.

The swimming pool has been carefully integrated into the design of the home with shared footings, allowing the building form to sit directly over the water. The pool wraps around the corner of the home and strengthens the visual connection between the interior living spaces and outdoor environment.

Light-toned tiling softens the appearance of the water, while full-width entry steps and a shallow lounging shelf create spaces suited equally to recreation and relaxation. Along the side boundary, the pool extends into a narrower lap section that supports exercise while maintaining the clean geometry of the overall landscape design.

Positioned beyond the pool and alfresco areas, the tennis court extends the home’s focus on recreation and outdoor family living. A custom-welded fence separates the court from the pool while maintaining visual openness across the rear yard.

Exposed aggregate stepping stones bordered by Dichondra ground cover soften the transition alongside the court, while pool equipment has been carefully concealed behind a curved fluted wall integrated into the landscape design. A simple off-form concrete bench positioned near mid-court provides a quiet place to sit and watch activity across the outdoor spaces.

A large, concealed sliding door allows the main living area to be separated from the stairwell and surrounding circulation spaces when required, creating flexibility between open-plan entertaining and the more private retreat areas.

When fully opened, the oversized door disappears completely into the wall cavity, preserving uninterrupted sightlines and maintaining the strong sense of openness throughout the central living spaces. The scale and detailing of the opening required careful coordination between structural framing, joinery, and concealed hardware systems.

The bathrooms continue the home’s restrained material palette through full-height tiling, warm brass fittings, and carefully balanced forms. Minimal detailing allows the quality of the materials and craftsmanship to remain the focus throughout each space.

Within the main ensuite, curved brass-trimmed mirrors sit above a sculptural curved vanity featuring fluted timber drawer fronts, reinforcing the softer architectural language carried throughout the home. Walk-in showers incorporating freestanding and back-to-wall baths create generous wet areas that balance practicality with a calm, retreat-like atmosphere.

Custom joinery plays a significant role throughout the home, combining practicality with a highly refined level of detailing and craftsmanship. Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry and integrated storage solutions support the needs of busy family living while maintaining the clean visual simplicity of the interiors.

Curved joinery elements, concealed doors, fluted timber detailing, and oversized custom cabinetry required careful coordination between trades and suppliers to maintain the precision and consistency of the architectural vision. Throughout the home, the joinery contributes equally to both functionality and the overall sculptural quality of the interior spaces.