Inspired by Modernism – Las Palmas by Tim Ditchfield Architects

With a clear reference to the iconic and revered style of Palm Springs modernism, Las Palmas is an homage to a time of experimental clean, uninterrupted linear architecture. Tim Ditchfield Architecture interprets the principles that underpin the modernist movement through the lens of context and the contemporary lived condition.

Enviably located in Noosa Heads, Las Palmas sits on its generous site overlooking the Noosa River. Its waterfront locale affords expansive views and adopting a linear and open approach creates multiple engagement opportunities between the built and the natural. Notably inspired by a trip the clients took to Palm Springs and an immersion in the iconic Kaufmann House, a fascination was inevitably born, wanting to embed key elements into their own home. The result sees a contemporary home sit horizontally hugging the earth, where regular and rhythmic forms open to the landscape elements beyond and embrace an inside/outside lifestyle. Tim Ditchfield Architects brings principles that underpin the modernist style together through a contemporary lens and reinterprets them to create a home that bridges both with a resounding relevance.

Tim Ditchfield Architects brings principles that underpin the modernist style together through a contemporary lens and reinterprets them to create a home that bridges both with a resounding relevance.

As a close collaboration between all parties, Las Palmas is built by GV Emanuel Constructions, with its curated and contextually responsive landscaping by Living Landscapes Noosa. Positioning the resulting home along the river edge of the site, also opens up the street side frontage for an extensive landscape, which sees boulders and cacti come together in the typical Palm Springs arid sculptural style. Key to the modernism is the shared and cross flexibility of interior and exterior spaces, where key courtyards are positioned to allow an opening-up of the home, and this consequentially became a focus, ensuring meaningful and curated connections.

Throughout, principles of the movement are intertwined into the home and its planning, which sees sunken spaces and changes in levels used to delineate function in lieu of formal walls and separators. Joinery is cleverly integrated into the building fabric and makes way for iconic furniture items to dot the home as sculptures in space. During the modernist period, larger spans were enabled due to advancements in steel fabrication and engineering and so the use of the cantilever was common, as was an experimental approach to testing limits. Las Palmas embraces these approaches and integrates natural elements like stone and the celebration of the hearth as a gathering space. The considered restraint is displayed in the architectural and formal approach as it is in the chosen materiality and palette where minimal elements are used, emphasising a sense of cohesion.

Positioning the resulting home along the river edge of the site, also opens up the street side frontage for an extensive landscape, which sees boulders and cacti come together in the typical Palm Springs arid sculptural style.

Las Palmas is a nod to foregone time, seen through the present. Tim Ditchfield Architects reinterprets the iconic elements of modernism and conjures a home of lasting resonance.

The considered restraint is displayed in the architectural and formal approach as it is in the chosen materiality and palette where minimal elements are used, emphasising a sense of cohesion.

Joinery is cleverly integrated into the building fabric and makes way for iconic furniture items to dot the home, as sculptures in space.

Tim Ditchfield Architects reinterprets the iconic elements of modernism and conjures a home of lasting resonance.