Architect: MRTN Architects
Project: Mount Eliza House
Location: Mount Eliza, Victoria, Australia
Structural Engineer: Deery Consulting
Builder: Lew Building
Photographer: Peter Bennetts
Eliza House is a single-family house designed by Melbourne-based MRTN Architects. Sophisticated living on an elevated position enwrapped with the world famous panorama of Port Phillip Bay, this near new ultra modern residence is a grand statement in innovation and luxury. This magnificent 45sq approx. executive home, opens entirely towards a breathtaking sunset terrace with postcard perfect 180-degree views. With amazing attention to detail and functionality, this home sits on a double slab with its thermal mass to capture the warmth of the winter sun yet provides natural insulation during summer.
The most prominent feature material of this dramatic home profiled on Grand Designs Australia TV series is not the massive glazing or even the imported pink marble. It’s the character-filled feature timber used in the front door, expansive kitchen benches and an entertainment unit.
It’s called Wormy Chestnut, a Victorian hardwood with a very Australian story to tell, from the sinuous trail left by scribbly gum moth larvae as they forage for nutrients under the bark, the peppering of pin holes by ambrosia beetles, and scorching by fire and lashing by rain. Stuart Sutherland of Timbench.com who made the benchtops says Wormy Chestnut has “the look of recycled timber with reliability of a new product.”
Co-owner-builder, Phillip Knightley, was enthusiastic: “I love the sort of the industrial look of it. I’m not a lover of that old polished sort of antique-y look. I like something that’s you know got a bit of power about it.”
With no expense spared such as elegantly crafted timber accents, beautiful Spanish marble floors, under-floor hydronic heating, provision for dual air-conditioning, ceiling fans, technologically advanced tinted Low E double glazing throughout, stacked glass doors, natural cross ventilation, concealed Japanese inspired door partitions, this ultra luxurious and innovative tour de force sets a new spectacular benchmark for others to follow!
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