Tactile Planes – Stanhope Court by Telha Clarke
Confidently inserted amid the lush foliage of South Yarra’s tree-lined streetscape, Stanhope Court timelessly aligns itself through carefully selected materiality. Designed for Kincrest by architects Telha Clarke in collaboration with celebrated Swedish designer Lotta Agaton, the residential development is grounded by context. Stanhope Court draws upon the natural elements it is immersed in to inform a dynamic expression of interior planes that are generously surfaced by Elton Group’s Eveneer timber veneer.
Flanked by abundant plantings of branches and leaves bending in the breeze, Stanhope Court rests cosily in nature’s embrace. Conceived as a confluence of several sage minds, the development fuses the signature Scandinavian-inspired stylings of Lotta Agaton with the locally seeded expertise of Telha Clarke to suggest a minimal interior composition that remains affectionately intimate. Within its walls, Stanhope Court takes a valiantly all-encompassing approach to materiality. Articulated by expanses of authentic timber veneer, each residence is clothed in warm, creamy woodgrain. From the joinery and wall panelling to shelves, shrouds, splashbacks and door fronts, the use of Elton Group’s Alpi Xilo White Striped XL Eveneer unites interior spaces with a luxurious totality that remains reflective of the rich environment just outside.
Recounting the genesis of Stanhope Court’s collaborative design, Tim Clarke, Director of Tehla Clarke, tells how the residential volume “represents its community as well as the quality and finish buyers expect.” European influence underlies the development’s charm, not only by virtue of Lotta’s design sensibility but also the character of its Melbourne suburb. Tim explains that “South Yarra possesses a lot of layered architecture and design styles that have come out of Europe over centuries. Lotta came very much from a Scandinavian approach, and from our side we wanted to ensure it still felt like a project in South Yarra. We worked together to create something restrained and pared back with a focus on materials, luxurious tactile elements and just letting the finishes sing.”
Of Stanhope Court’s materiality, Eveneer resonates with the most arresting nuance, forming a biophilic connection between inside and out. “You get this beautiful moment where you have the kitchen’s timber panelling to one side of you while looking out to the trees with light bouncing off the stainless-steel façade,” Tim explains. “There is an interplay between the wooden veneer internally and nature externally with the architecture sitting between.”
Conceived as a confluence of several sage minds, the development fuses the signature Scandinavian-inspired stylings of Lotta Agaton with the locally seeded expertise of Telha Clarke to suggest a minimal interior composition that remains affectionately intimate.
Of Stanhope Court’s materiality, Eveneer resonates with the most arresting nuance, forming a biophilic connection between inside and out. “You get this beautiful moment where you have the kitchen’s timber panelling to one side of you while looking out to the trees with light bouncing off the stainless-steel façade,” Tim explains. “There is an interplay between the wooden veneer internally and nature externally with the architecture sitting between.”
Designed by Piero Lissoni in Italy, Elton Group’s Eveneer Alpi Xilo timber veneer lends a contemporary yet timeless identity to Stanhope Court. Detailing his approach to realising a modern and enduring space through its finishes, Tim states that “for something to be timeless it needs to feel like it was designed for today while referencing the past and drawing in those elements. So, here we see the application of a material that has been used for a long time – timber veneer. We avoided using composite material or highly refined elements, which is why we applied Eveneer.”
Of Stanhope Court’s materiality, Eveneer resonates with the most arresting nuance, forming a biophilic connection between inside and out.
Having been curated to respond considerately to the needs of designers and architects across Australia and New Zealand, Eveneer presents an inimitable choice for specifiers. Sustainable sourcing and responsible minimisation of waste in addition to unparalleled consistency of grain, pattern, colour and texture produces an innovative timber solution that is authentic to the material’s natural state whilst retaining reliability and confidence in every artistically produced piece.
Taken by this attribute of Elton Group’s veneer offerings, Tim details that “it’s all about the consistency with Eveneer – there is no unexpected batching or finishing that is irregular – it’s always a perfect look and feel. Honestly, we’re just blown away by the finish, you can’t help but go up and touch it – everyone does! It’s a beautiful surface, and it doesn’t matter if you get your grubby mitts on it; it doesn’t really wear and so is durable but still gives that sense of tactility and warmth that is difficult to get into interiors at times.”
Having been curated to respond considerately to the needs of designers and architects across Australia and New Zealand, Eveneer presents an inimitable choice for specifiers.
This warmth permeates Stanhope Court with ease, as panels of Eveneer not only stretch across vast surfaces but also wrap into hidden away crevices and behind the faces of joinery to form a boldly uninterrupted statement throughout. Tanya Hillman, Elton Group’s Creative Design Manager, applauds Lotta and Tim’s achievement, declaring “the Alpi Xilo Eveneer in Stanhope Court becomes very architectural. It has been cleverly used in a way where it’s not just a finish; it’s integral to the volume of the space. It’s beautiful.”
Displaying Elton Group’s four decades of expertise and commitment to design-led product refinement and education, Eveneer and its application within Stanhope Court exists as an example of material mastery. Attentive to the minutiae of arresting interiors, Elton Group’s Eveneer fine quality and finish has been utilised to superb effect at a breadth of scales. The hearty helping of authentic timber sublimely communicates clarity, connection and classic allure that will be enjoyed by residents for years to come.
