Habitusliving.com |
- A home with a kitchen at its heart
- Coco Flip Finds joy in Taking Things Slow
- The Outstanding Design and Functionality of the ILVE OV80 Built-In Oven
- K House
| A home with a kitchen at its heart Posted: 15 Nov 2021 02:03 PM PST  Updating Victorian terrace houses for modern living has become part of the urban architect's bread and butter, turning dark, narrow spaces into light-filled, open-plan domains. Clients often arrive with a brief that reflects their passion for cooking or a desire to incorporate sustainability, but it's not every day they come to the table with two terraces in Carlton on a single title. Faced with this unexpected combination and abundant space, Riofrío Carroll Architects chose not to double down on the built volume and instead doubled up on the simplicity of their approach to the project, inspired by the client's own ease in entertaining and their openness to experimentation in the kitchen. It's a spirit that was mirrored in Angela and Michael Kelly's willingness to embrace the design process – and made these committed foodies well-suited for the innovation and possibilities of the V-ZUG range.
"Every time we met with the clients it was in the kitchen and they would cook while we were talking [about the new design] and we could see how their life was," explains architect Nelson Riofrío. "They're very social, there are always people at their house, their neighbours are always visiting, they are very open in that way." The architects' solution was to imagine two typical gun-barrel extensions to the Victorian frontages but raise one and twist it ninety degrees to create a first floor addition at the back of the property that runs north-south rather than east-west and overhangs the garden to form a shaded courtyard. To maintain the conceptual foundation of the design – and cooking at the heart of the clients' lives – this twist has its central axis in the kitchen space. "It gave it a strong architecture but it also solved the solar requirements as well, and good orientation for the living room and bedroom," says Riofrío's colleague, Tom Carroll. "It gives it quite a bold look and we think a timeless look, too, through its simple forms." To meet the clients' further desire for a neat space that had an aesthetic relationship with the indoor and outdoor entertaining areas that peel off the kitchen, the architects used a minimal material palette, clever cabinetry and the clean lines of the V-ZUG range of appliances. "V-ZUG has an understated simplicity that matched the overarching design. They're neat and functional – and of a quality to withstand heavy use," says Carroll. The Kellys were familiar with V-ZUG through friends who had introduced them to the brand's unique cooking capabilities over a memorable meal. "So when we were getting more serious about our renovation we looked into V-ZUG," says Michael. "The functionality, the efficiency, the whole philosophy behind the brand and what they have delivered. And they've got a pared back, subtle elegance about them [that] really fit in with the aesthetic we were trying to create." The Kellys have been more than delighted with their choice, adding a raft of new cooking techniques and tastes to their repertoire. "Having a steam oven was a whole new experience," says Angela. "It's that professional chef secret, the steam oven, because it's used all the time in commercial kitchens, so you're getting the edge that you don't get in a standard oven. Because it cooks with steam nothing dries out but it's brown and its moist, it works on everything – you can even cook toast in it! It keeps the quality and the integrity of the food without desiccating it." However, their choice wasn't just about good looks and cooking. Sustainability was at the core of their renovation and in addition to hand cleaning the bricks from the demolished walls of the buildings' earlier additions, they re-used or re-homed a significant amount of material. Hardwood timber framing went to a furniture manufacturer, the flooring to Ballarat, the stained glass vestibule doors were recycled and all those bricks found new life in the box-on-a-box extension.
Michael and Angela's environmental approach then focused on base utilities and resource usage. "We wanted to get rid of fossil fuels so we cut the gas off, went all electric appliances, put solar PV on the roof, put in a heat pump reverse cycle system and double glazing," says Michael. "The idea was to aim for electrical appliances that were as efficient as possible for net energy consumption – minimising the amount of draw on that self-generated power so we didn't have to consume from the grid." The credentials and ratings of the V-ZUG range – including the induction cooktop and the Adora dishwasher – met their brief. "By having highly efficient devices you're able to have get that degree of energy independence." V-ZUG's commitment to sustainability starts from concept and carries on throughout its design philosophy, starting with a 100% carbon neutral production facility and using high-quality natural materials for longevity. When the appliances reach the customer the focus on resource reduction continues with the inclusion of tools like EcoManagement and EcoHybrid, which allow customers to monitor their energy and water use and tailor their selections for more sustainable outcomes without compromising performance or results. Further innovations such as the heat pump, the OptiTime program and the water saving tank in the AdoraDish V6000, which stores the last rinse from the previous wash to use as the first rinse in the next wash, are delivering the water and energy efficiencies the clients and their architects had aspired to. It's a testament to the Kellys' enthusiasm, despite being first-time owner-builders, that they are effusive about the renovation experience. "It was the best thing we've ever done, it was so much fun. We couldn't be happier with Riofrío Carroll's design; they matched exactly what we wanted to achieve." That enthusiasm has always been evident in their approach to cooking, using food as a vehicle for sharing good times with friends; now they have a home and kitchen to match and really showcase those talents.
The post A home with a kitchen at its heart appeared first on Habitusliving.com. |
| Coco Flip Finds joy in Taking Things Slow Posted: 15 Nov 2021 11:00 AM PST  Walking into Coco Flip's Northcote showroom feels very much like an arrival. An inviting collection of carefully crafted furniture and luminaires basks in natural light, emphasising the captivating charm of the considered and character-filled objects on display. The notion of timeless appeal is underpinned by the subtle sense of joy – a quality present in Coco Flip's conscious designs and the brand's name. "Coco Flip is all about balance – between life and work, aesthetics and function," explains Kate Stokes. She co-founded Coco Flip with her husband and business partner, Haslett Grounds. "I felt like the name encompasses that balance visually and audibly and has a playfulness that sets the right tone."  Coco Flip Northcote Showroom | Photography Kristoffer Paulsen With the name to express the founders' distinct design intent, the release of the Coco Pendant in 2010 unequivocally put the brand on the map, thrusting Coco Flip to the forefront of lighting design. With time, the brand's profile has organically evolved. Now, alongside a range of beautifully crafted luminaires, the studio's offering includes furniture design and boasts a selection of Melbourne-made tables, benches and ottomans. But the ethos that underlay the inception of the brand continues to be its beating heart. "Maintaining our integrity has always been the most important motivation for me," admits Kate.  Coco Flip Northcote Showroom | Photography Kristoffer Paulsen With a team of three galvanising Coco Flip's ongoing success, the brand that started as a small business is still maintaining a similar structure. "We're a purposefully small, creative-led business, and we're committed to achieving a healthy balance in our work and life. As a family-run business, it's important for us to maintain this and prioritise our happiness," Kate explains. This notion of balance, fittingly reflected in the brand's name, is also echoed in Coco Flip's designs. "We think the good things in life are worth celebrating, and we'd like our furniture and lighting to bring a great deal of joy to our customers."  Coco Flip Northcote Showroom | Photography Kristoffer Paulsen In keeping things purposefully small, Coco Flip still keeps things close, too. Kate used to ride her bike to see Charlie Sandford, the timber turner behind the award-winning Coco Pendant. And today, the brand still works with local manufacturers in bringing their timeless designs to life. With the dedication to creating objects that spark a lasting connection, the personal aspect of local production is crucial to Coco Flip's design vision. And the careful craft of the local makers aligns with the brand's affinity for considered design.  Coco Flip Northcote Showroom | Photography Kristoffer Paulsen "Coco Flip is built on our nurtured relationships with local manufacturers and talented craftspeople who share our ethos of patience and dedication to detail," Kate says. "We're passionate advocates of slow design, and we believe that all good things take time." This idea of taking the time to patiently craft their products goes hand in hand with Coco Flip's desire to always strive for longevity in their creative practice. "We want our designs to be enjoyed for a very long time, and it's important for us that they withstand decades of use physically and aesthetically."  Photography Cathy Marshall The Heidelberg Road showroom is a beautifully appointed embodiment of Coco Flip's values and aspirations. Housing the current collection and some exciting launches, like the Broad Pendant, designed as part of the 2021 Nau collection, the space offers a glimpse into what's to come from the quintessential Australian design brand. "While the long lockdowns have rendered us incredibly time-poor, having young children at home, it has been an opportunity to ruminate on creative ideas and direction. I feel really excited about working on some new pieces and flexing our creative muscles again," sums up Kate enthusiastically. Coco Flip Photography Hadyn Cattach The post Coco Flip Finds joy in Taking Things Slow appeared first on Habitusliving.com. |
| The Outstanding Design and Functionality of the ILVE OV80 Built-In Oven Posted: 14 Nov 2021 08:26 PM PST  Whether you are a professional or aspiring home cook, you want the experience of creating food in the comfort of your kitchens to be enjoyable, efficient and exciting. The foundation of ILVE has always been focused on innovation, pushing new technology to elevate their appliances and, in turn, the kitchens of home cooks. The new ILVE OV80 extends ILVE's Professional Plus series — this built-in oven is packed with precise features, making cooking at home an outstanding experience for all of us. The built-in ovens from ILVE's Professional Plus series — including the new ILVE OV80 — offer the perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality, ensuring that style and power are included in the home cooking experience. ILVE's distinct innovation is evident in the way they incorporate elements from professional kitchens into their appliances — taking inspiration from function to materiality, the Professional Plus series ovens have the elegance of a luxury appliance but the performance of a professional kitchen. The use of materials, such as AISI 304 stainless steel, brass and copper in the ILVE OV80 give it unmatched quality and durability. Crafted in Italy, this oven takes on the iconic commercial design and Milano styling of ILVE's products, making it an appliance with character. With a black glass exterior and clean lines, the oven has an extremely sleek look, making the built-in ILVE OV80 a truly sophisticated appliance that will seamlessly integrate into any kitchen.
A highlight of the extended Professional Plus series is its 4.3 inch TFT touch control display. With the touch and sliding movement controls, intuitive design and vibrant graphics, the TFT has a logical operation that is easy to use. This display permits precise control of oven temperature and quantity of moisture inside the cooking cavity. The ILVE OV80 built-in oven also consists of the standard ILVE range of features, including the electric rotisserie, precision thermostatic control, concealed grill element, programmable timer, turbo wave cooking feature and digital food monitor. With the multiplicity in function and diversity of cooking options, the ILVE OV80 proves to be a unique appliance that is luxurious in its aesthetics and performance. The innovation and extension of the Professional Plus built-in oven series is reflective of ILVE's vision to improve the experience of home cooking. With over 60 years of heritage, the ILVE brand has been dedicated to bringing its unique brand of Italian craftsmanship to the passionate home and professional cooks of Australia. ILVEThe post The Outstanding Design and Functionality of the ILVE OV80 Built-In Oven appeared first on Habitusliving.com. |
| Posted: 14 Nov 2021 01:30 PM PST  Perched atop the edge of NSW's breathtaking and billowy south coast is K House. This seaside residence for two is an exercise in essential architecture, which lavishes the individual with volume, light and views.
It was the open horizons of ocean and sky, captivating in its clear-eyed blueness, equally stunning in a tempest, that captured the eye of the clients. The house on the block had reached its use-by date but the land stood toe-to-toe with the cliff's edge and called for a home that turned outwards as it turned in. Renato D'Ettorre of Renato D'Ettorre Architects had the pleasurable challenge of doing the magnificent location justice, while working to a moderate budget. Rather than be limited by constraints, he focused on the opportunities at hand: knowledgeable clients who were very much present in the process, D'Ettorre's appreciation of "good architecture" at its most essential, and of course the site.
K House comes down to a series of juxtapositions. Where there is a raw simplicity in the form and material use, D'Ettorre evokes luxury through spatial composition: light and shadow, material and form, volume and compression. To move through the house evokes a sense of magic and emotion that can only be replicated in person, in the moment. The two-storey house appears unassuming in the landscape, sitting back into the land without quite disappearing.
The most refined of human shelters, its position on the site could be described as proud, while also sensitive to nature and its equally unassuming neighbours. The intent, says D'Ettorre, was not to intimidate the street by the virtuosity of its design. "We kept it quite simple" – not at all show-off – "but the magic happens once you walk [over] the threshold. Life unfolds once you walk through the door." The architectural palette is one of sheer simplicity: brick, white and grey concrete, and a generosity of light which D'Ettorre believes to be a valuable building material, too. "Through skylights and oversized windows facing south-east, we drew the sun in; from the north using high windows we brought the sun into the guts of the house."
Perhaps this is best captured on the lower level, where the dining room zone extends upwards into a double-height void, filling the centre of the house with both light and air. For the clients – a lawyer who works from home, and her mother – the views were central to the brief. D'Ettorre speaks of the power of sitting behind glass, and he's not wrong. The house falls away to reveal unfettered views from every angle. On the ground floor, where the living room is situated, an oversized bay window provides a comfortable perch from which to observe the ocean. "Even during its tempest and inclement weather, it's powerful to observe that natural world from behind the glass," he says. A courtyard situated to the side of the house introduces exterior space as part of the interior space. And it's crafted just so, that when the southerlies come in you aren't restricted from being outdoors.
But what really makes this a great house, poses D'Ettorre, is that "the clients can really relate to it". "We have been touched by their emotional experiences on a daily basis. We get regular feedback via images by phone. From pictures of the garden day-by-day to the changing weather patterns out at sea." The post K House appeared first on Habitusliving.com. |
In addition to the smooth, elegant design of the ILVE OV80, are its innovative features and intuitive technology that make the built-in oven distinctive in its functionality and performance. Incorporating the new Steam Valve, the ILVE OV80 offers the possibility of choosing between dry or humid cooking. Humidity has a profound effect on the way food cooks, with traditional ovens not equipped with the capability to control this. With ILVE's innovative technology, it is now possible to choose the preferred humidity for your method of cooking — whether it be for baking crispy bread or a tender, juicy roast. This unique feature diversifies cooking, allowing you to cook multiple dishes to perfection using the same appliance.
| You are subscribed to email updates from Habitusliving.com. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States | |
No comments:
Post a Comment