Stoke Fireplace Studio

Crafted in New Zealand, MODE’s products redefine what fireplaces can be: frameless, minimalist forms that integrate effortlessly into architecture, supported by advanced engineering. With adaptable formats and innovations – including Flexible Flue technology and a Zero Clearance rating – they offer architects the creative freedom to place statement fireplaces almost anywhere, in virtually any material. From bayside Melbourne to coastal Sydney, designers continue to choose MODE for its seamless integration and refined beauty, and for Stoke’s collaborative expertise.

In Melbourne’s Brighton, the Art Deco Penthouse by Alexandar and Joluca Homes blends elegance with comfort and effortless entertaining. “The client wanted a luxurious, private penthouse with spacious entertaining areas, bespoke finishes and a rooftop pool and spa,” says Joe Sofra, co-director of Joluca Homes. With sweeping views, bold geometry and jewel-toned accents, the home channels Art Deco opulence through bevelled glass tiles, steel archways, chrome finishes and geometric patterns. Two MODE KS1460 corner fireplaces anchor living spaces with architectural gravitas.

Working with Stoke Fireplace Studio on the project was a seamless and collaborative process, says Sofra. “Their expert advice on finishes, proportions and installation ensured a functional and beautiful result. More than a supplier, they acted as a true design partner.”

On Sydney’s Northern Beaches, renowned photographer Georges Antoni and his wife Phoebe Ghorayeb worked with RAMA Architects to transform a modest 1960s brick house into a serene family retreat. “I really wanted to make it something my children could experience day in and day out – that beautiful sense of serenity and simplicity,” says Antoni.

The living area was redesigned around the MODE KS1150 Tall fireplace. “It was always going to be the focus,” explains Antoni. “When we saw the MODE Tall at Stoke Fireplace Studio Sydney, we realised how incredibly beautiful it was, and how important it was to showcase it, almost like an art piece.” With its frameless, minimalist silhouette and efficient gas heating, the MODE Tall is both a sculptural centrepiece and practical solution for family life. “It was the quickest and most efficient way to heat the house, and it absolutely suffices for that purpose.”

The striking fireplace surround reflects the concept of trilogy. “The three circular structures that encase the fire give a sense of pillars and strength. The fireplace really is the centrepiece, the pulse and, if you will, the heartbeat of the home.”

Also on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Nolan House by FE Design reimagines a 1970s brick home into a space of rich materiality and flowing energy. “I try not to replicate projects,” says designer Fiona Bruzzano. “Each one is unique and bespoke – like curated stories.” The MODE KS1150 Peninsula fireplace, with its striking three-sided glass, grounds the living space, acting as both sculpture and divider. The latter was an essential element. “When you have a large open-plan design, while aesthetically beautiful, it’s not easy to control noise or create zones for peace and quiet,” explains the designer.

Set within a functional yet artistic wall, the fireplace sits between veined marble and curved, fluted cladding, reflecting the harmony of contrasting shapes and materials. The wall also houses bespoke, hand-stained oak joinery, made possible by MODE’s Flexible Flue technology and Zero Clearance rating.

“I have worked with Stoke for many years, so my clients visited and were sold on the three-sided MODE Peninsula,” says Bruzzano. “This created a need for a wall that could feature all three sides. The design became very functional and hardworking.” Beyond aesthetics, Bruzzano praises the product’s performance. “MODE gas heating is so efficient and provides a natural flame as close as possible to a real log fire.”

At Double Bay House III in Sydney, TKD Architects reversed convention by placing the house at the rear of the site, allowing living spaces to open directly into nature. The design plays with light, capturing and redirecting it through skylights and custom perforated screens. On the ground floor, a double-sided MODE KS1150 Tall fireplace becomes a transparent divider. “The fireplace is very important in both location and design,” says John Rose, practice director at TKD Architects. “The way that you can see through it allows it to form the division between spaces but still allows connectivity from as far back as the kitchen.”

Stoke Fireplace Studio Sydney owner Jarrod Strauss is an unabashed fan of the model. “From the frameless finish to the large, elevated logs,” he says, “the fuel-bed of the MODE KS1150 Tall is crafted based on Australian hardwood, giving the fire body for flames.”

As evidenced by these projects, MODE fireplaces are less fixtures and more pieces of architecture: adaptable, quietly detailed and made to work with a designer’s vision. Backed by Stoke Fireplace Studio’s collaborative approach and expertise, each installation offers more than just warmth – it becomes a defining element of a home’s design story.