Biophilic Connectivity – Warrandyte Residence by Sanctum Homes and Open Door Design

Inspired by a surrounding sense of immersion, Warrandyte Residence embraces the natural elements and its removal from the traditional residential milieu. Sanctum Homes works with Open Door Design and an impassioned client to overhaul integral convening elements of the home and infuse a cohesive connectivity throughout.

Following a lengthy journey to finding the most fitting home, the owners of Warrandyte Residence wanted to wait until they found the best combination of elements that best met their brief. In its idyllic setting amongst existing and established greenery and tree canopies, the home they landed on was captured for its location, immersion in nature and its potential. Working together with  Sanctum Homes, Open Door Design and Entwine Designs, the resulting home is reworked to open to the surrounds and bring a sense of the natural into the interior experience of the home. Biophilic in nature, the interior becomes an extension of the landscape, opening up and allowing uninterrupted movement across thresholds, while allowing sounds and smells of the flora and fauna to fill the home.

Biophilic in nature, the interior becomes an extension of the landscape, opening up and allowing uninterrupted movement across thresholds, while allowing sounds and smells of the flora and fauna to fill the home.

Built by Sanctum Homes with joinery by Skyline Kitchens and Gratton Design, the new works see a reimagining of the kitchen, living, dining and outdoor dining areas and access to the master suite. While the bones of the home remain in place, it was the areas where occupants and guests would gather the most that needed immediate attention. Both in a reflection of how we live within contemporary homes and how the owners wanted to open to the natural elements, there needed to be a better sense of connectivity and openness. Having lived in the area for six years prior, the owners were well ingrained into the community and wanted to retain that in this next chapter, while also seizing the opportunity to plant foundational roots.

Relocating the existing stair into the master suite allowed for a more sensical floor plan that eased movement internally. As an expression of the owner’s love of indoor plants, the interior brings the natural inward, as well as allowing a visual openness at all times. Long vistas and opened sightlines allow for the home to feel active and animated, while also feeling deliberate in its zoning. Increasing the sense of openness sees a light palette of finishes used internally, to enhance the perception of space, while darker colours externally allow for the overall form to feel recessive in place and for the focus to continue to be the lush landscape.

Both in a reflection of how we live within contemporary homes and how the owners wanted to open to the natural elements, there needed to be a better sense of connectivity and openness.

Warrandyte Residence combines the calm of a removed residence together with a contemporary convenience to ensure a continued relevance, while remaining as a firm appreciation of its context.