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Light and Bright – Torquay by Planned Living Architects
Torquay by Planned Living Architects is defined by a laid-back feel, light and textured materiality and tangible indoor-outdoor connections. Key to its aesthetic is furniture by GlobeWest, which works harmoniously and organically within the space.
Heavily informed by its Victorian Surf Coast locale, Torquay is infused with rich tones which create a moody yet inviting atmosphere. Located within a housing estate in the ocean town of the same name, the site required a cautious approach in terms of existing and potential future dwellings in the streetscape while still capturing the essence of the clients’ brief. Jay Earles, Planned Living Architects’ director, says that “the brief was for a permanent family home … that not only embraced the corner location from both street aspects, but also offered privacy for extensive outdoor living spaces.”
Drawing on a mid-century design ethos, the home boasts bold linear attributes. “Conversations about balancing the feelings evoked from Slim Aarons’ photography with a more relaxed coastal Victorian lifestyle were not uncommon at the design table,” says Jay. To reflect those design inspirations, curvaceous, softly rounded furnishings were the perfect option. Pieces like the curved Juno Cloud Modular Sofa and the Seb Curve Dining Table in Oak, with its kidney-shaped top and cylindrical legs, eloquently balance the home’s geometric style.
The materiality of the home is dominated by timber, highly textured white render and polished concrete floors. “‘Light and bright’ was key to the materiality of the project,” says Jay. “Timber elements, such as ceilings and soffits, were introduced to give a level of warmth and, together with the stone walls, provide the natural elements required for a relaxed feel.” Similarly, timber veneers and Japanese mosaics offer a more refined and textural layer to the interiors, while the polished concrete floors and oversized glass doors provide seamless links between indoor and outdoor living. Rich plum, currant and twilight-influenced tones complement the mid-century motifs in the front living room, while yellow hues and military greens meld with tan leathers to create an intimate mood in the cohesive open-plan living, dining and kitchen space.
Texture plays an important role throughout the home, too. In the living space, military-green fabric dining chairs, armchairs in recycled leather and a leather ottoman contrast beautifully with the cool planes of an oval marble coffee table. A plum-hued sofa and ottoman in tweed add textural interest in the front living room, while the Bonnie Occasional Chair in a shade called marsala/currant and the red glazed-tile Seville Side Table bring bold colour highlights.
Biophilic design elements were key to the flow and airy feel of the home. “Outdoor living and entertaining were central to the project, as were the gardens,” says Jay. Rooms feel intrinsically connected to the outdoors, with cleverly oriented views of the sky and courtyard creating a sense of seclusion in the semi-urban environment. The main bathroom features a floor-to-ceiling window that overlooks the greenery and timber cladding of the internal courtyard.
To complement the timber and neutral palette of the open-plan living space, outdoor areas feature robust yet understated furnishings including the Fleur Sofa Chair, Marina Coast Dining Chair and the teak Cannes Quadra Dining Table. The pool is also a central element of the home’s biophilic approach, beautifully offset by the Granada Hourglass Side Table and Mauritius Island Sofa in a delicious pink hue – imbuing a luxurious, calming effect.
A combination of mid-century design elements and a considered balance of tones and textures, Torquay by Planned Living Architects is a stunning home that sits harmoniously within its urban coastal context.
