Unifying an Eclectic Past – Peppermint Grove Residence by Rezen Studio

Words by Bronwyn Marshall
Architecture by Rezen Studio
Photography by Jack Lovel

Bringing an eclecticpast together, Peppermint Grove Residence combines its interwar Tudor and Spanish styles to create a home of purpose and unified identity. Rezen Studio combines a cohesive and refined palette with a rational approach to propose a connected and contemporary abode.

Located in an enviable riverside locale, Peppermint Grove Residence combines its multi-influenced past and funnels its many narratives and alterations into one cohesive resolve. Uniting its interwar Tudor and Spanish styles, the home had been extended and modified many times prior to its current custodians taking ownership. Connected to the character and charm that remained, the mission to complete their vision for the home was afoot. As with many incremental changes over time, a sense of identity had been lost, and re-instilling this was a key driver in establishing the underlying principles of the resulting design. Through an overall macro approach, a clear masterplan of the home and its many parts sees the emergence of a concise and connected home – both internally and with its landscape beyond. Rezen Studio brings a refined and restrained approach to create a home of resonance, fusing both the contemporary and its existing character.

Located in an enviable riverside locale, Peppermint Grove Residence combines its multi-influenced past and funnels its many narratives and alterations into one cohesive resolve.

Rezen Studio brings a refined and restrained approach to create a home of resonance, fusing both the contemporary and its existing character.

Built by its owner, the new works concentrate on opening and connecting the home. Through a rationalist approach, the previously disparate and sparse spaces are brought together through a natural flow, responding to movement and functionality. With its location riverside, having a clear and open transition between inside and out was key, allowing extensions of internal and external spaces to permeate more traditional built edges. Resultingly, the living space spills out to the outdoor terrace space, beckoning an audience to its outdoor fireplace setting. The entertaining and social space connects to the water and provides another place to gather. The unique conical breeze block wall offers both a focal point and a nod to an original cast plaster ornamentation. Its geometry acts as a play with both natural and architectural lighting, while offering privacy and a playful ventilation element.

The interior materiality adds both a warmth and contemporary lightness to the spaces, elevating its crafted finish and the clean lines throughout. The use of warming dark timber flooring creates an uninterrupted horizontal plane for all other elements to engage with. The kitchen of feature American walnut combines with fluted glass and custom glazed doors to allow for visual connectedness, while also reinforcing the concealed nature of the joinery language in all spaces. Brass accents then allow for a more tactile engagement point in the everyday use of the space, while also being an element that will age and collect its own narrative over time.

The unique conical breeze block wall offers both a focal point and a nod to an original cast plaster ornamentation.

Peppermint Grove Residence fuses the home’s history and a contemporary sensibility to bind the present to its past. Rezen Studio has brought an enduring refinement and evoked a sense of clarity in the process.

The interior materiality adds both a warmth and contemporary lightness to the spaces, elevating its crafted finish and the clean lines throughout.