A Shared Vision – ADA Toorak by Buxton Projects, Conrad Architects and Jack Merlo

Words by Erin Crowden
Architecture by Conrad Architects
Interior Design by Conrad Architects
Landscape Design by Jack Merlo
Visualisation by Aferglow
Branding and Art Direction by Grenade Studio

Inspired by the charm of surrounding garden properties and guided by a singular shared vision, ADA draws upon timeless principles of volume and light, space and proportion to blend seamlessly into the heart of Toorak. A considered collaboration between Buxton Projects, Conrad Architects and Jack Merlo channels existing neighbourhood character into a collection of generous and elegant residences.

Offering stately homes with a classic yet contemporary feel, ADA sits confidently within an established streetscape. “Our aim was clear and simple: develop a beautiful building that feels like home – hand-crafted apartments for people that notice the little things,” says Josh Buxton of Buxton Projects. Paul Conrad, Director of Conrad Architects affirms that the building borrows its “sense of stature, proportion, and dignity” from surrounding residences. Similarly, taking full advantage of the Toorak location, proximity to amenities and context, landscape architect Jack Merlo used the verdant topography of the suburb to influence a layered approach to planting. Jack explains the design focuses on “creating spaces that people will appreciate for years to come,” ensuring privacy and access to garden or city vistas and connection to nature from each home as priority throughout the design process.

Externally, the built form uses robust and refined materials, presenting a layered façade with rhythmic openings to provide play of light across surfaces.

Approaching the building itself encourages a moment of pause and respite when passing through the gates, allowing enjoyment of the characteristics of natural stone paths and bountiful plantings. Externally, the built form uses robust and refined materials, presenting a layered façade with rhythmic openings to provide play of light across surfaces. Textured materiality references location and surrounding built character while crisp metal connections speak of quality and attention to detail throughout.

Lower-level residences enjoy an encompassing soft tonal palette with materiality deliberately selected for natural, timeless character and ability to unite. Timber floorboards flow through adjoining zones, drawing the eye through the residence and enhancing the feel of space. Travertine features in the kitchen and living areas, providing a textured and subtle backdrop for residents to personalize. Quality fixtures from Miele and Barazza are paired with tapware by Streamline and Franke throughout kitchen, and the butlers pantry encourages entertaining and free flow into landscaped gardens beyond. “The interiors are inspired by a desire to create a warm, restrained and timeless aesthetic—they’re interiors that prioritise longevity and sophistication over trends and tokenistic gestures,” says Paul.

Each private garden consists of heavily layered planting, combined with trees selected for shade canopy, while planting is utilised for visual interest throughout the year.

Each private garden consists of heavily layered planting, combined with trees selected for shade canopy, while planting is utilised for visual interest throughout the year. Drawing on predominant planting species within the area, Jack affirms the outdoor spaces are “well considered, generous and highly functional,” working alongside the architecture to “provide a lush backdrop to the residences.” For this reason, the design celebrates a mature pin oak tree on the site, recongising its importance and drawing its timeless, stately presence into the design . Josh elaborates, “as soon as we saw this tree, we knew it needed to be preserved. It’s an integral part of the site. ADA wouldn’t be the same without it.”

Upper-level residences are again designed to reflect a standalone home taking advantage of large terraced areas with greenery woven throughout, establishing framed vistas from each key space. Interior design and architecture work together to achieve elegant simplicity across all residences, with Paul crediting this to a collaborative and holistic process. “We don’t draw any distinction between architecture and interior design. Both elements are equally important to the look and feel of a home, and they need to work together seamlessly,” he says. This is apparent in the attention to detail placed on the experience of the resident, evidenced through providing dual vanities in all bathrooms with grand scaled mirrors encouraging a light and airy feel. These work in combination with fixtures from Streamline, Apasier, Modo and Astra Walker chosen for enduring appeal and functionality for the user.

Interior design and architecture work together to achieve elegant simplicity across all residences, with Paul crediting this to a collaborative and holistic process.

Taking such a well-rounded and humanist approach when creating multiple residences is often unusual, yet ADA strikes the balance of grandeur and humility through the strength in collaboration of Buxton Projects, Conrad Architects and Jack Merlo. The result is a curated collection of homes enjoying interconnection with the city and surrounding amenities, underscored by a deep respect for the neighbourhood and ADA’s future inhabitants.