Refined Lightness – Carmel Residence by Piechota Architecture and Studio Collins Weir

Enveloped by a lush landscape and framing views architecturally, Carmel Residence lightly interacts with its site, initially appearing as a single-storey home and then unfolding to reveal additional levels as the terrain falls away. Piechota Architecture and Studio Collins Weir create an intimate connection between the residence and its surrounding landscape.

Built around a series of luminous courtyard spaces, Carmel Residence takes advantage of its generous site to enhance a sense of openness. The floor-to-ceiling glazing enhances the indoor-outdoor living experience of the home, yet its engagement with the natural surrounds is deliberately light. The multiple-storey dwelling appears as a single storey at first glance, with just the uppermost level visible from the street. However, beyond the concealed façade, Piechota Architecture and Studio Collins Weir craft a calming abode, with a connection to nature that is reflected by an abundance of breathtaking vistas.

Built around a series of luminous courtyard spaces, Carmel Residence takes advantage of its generous site to enhance a sense of openness.

Considering the placement of the home on site, the architects arrange the residence in separate wings to clearly define purpose. The intentional delineation of the floor plan also overlays a sense of order across the site, with modern influences in the design allowing the location to shine. Through the purposeful allocation of spaces, a clear and consistent outward connection to the natural surrounds is established.

A neutral colour palette is employed throughout, with timber adding a rich, textural contrast. Inviting the landscape in through glazed courtyards allows the dwelling to respond to the changing seasons throughout the year, and the natural light that filters through further animates the home. Thresholds have been reduced where possible to encourage indoor-outdoor flow, with subtle shifts in the flooring signalling transitions.

The intentional delineation of the floor plan also overlays a sense of order across the site, with modern influences in the design allowing the location to shine.

With impressive views of the ocean beyond, Carmel Residence welcomes the outside in. Through creating a seamless interaction between volumes, Piechota Architecture and Studio Collins Weir ensure the natural surrounds remain central to the living experience of the home.