The west coast home with a zen-like sensibility

One of the exceptional aspects of living in Australia is public access to foreshore areas. From beach promenades to riverside cycleways, being able to freely enjoy the waterways, beaches and parklands is something that many Australians hold dear.

However, for those fortunate enough to live by the water and enjoy the sometimes breathtaking views, it has its drawbacks, especially if your home is not designed to manage being in such a public position.

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The owners of this property overlooking Swan Canning Riverpark in South Perth had recently decided to buy a home in the city to be closer to their extended family of children and grandchildren. But while they love the views across the park to the Swan River and the city beyond, the strata title property left something to be desired.

Built in the 1980s, it lent heavily on floor-to-ceiling glass windows and downlighting, creating a goldfish bowl-like experience for those living within.

The property has exceptional waterfront views. The design has reached a balance between capturing the vista and managing privacy. Image: Dion Robeson

In addition to the need for privacy, project architect Suzanne Hunt says the owners wanted to create a sense of sanctuary for their home, citing peace and quiet as a high priority. They also required a home that would allow them to live in comfort and safety as they grew older, while still being stylish.

“The strata unit as it was would not allow them to age in place — it was all shiny tiles,” says Hunt. “I suggested we look at some new options that would give us the opportunity to really investigate doing a house that was smaller but had all the details they love.”

The palette is neutral and limited with multiple but interconnected living areas. Image: Dion Robeson Styling: Anna Flanders

Hunt had previously designed their existing home, a sprawling property in the Perth Hills, which had reflected the owners’ affinity with Japanese design. Given the city site had neighbours on or close to both boundaries and strata rules about height and setbacks were fixed, a Japanese approach to the design was an obvious match. It would also meet the owners’ desire for a serene environment.

“Japanese design has a calmness,” says Hunt. “There are minimal materials and the interior design is architectural.

“The beauty is in the architecture, like timber battens on the walls.”

Starting from scratch, Hunt designed a two-bedroom, single-level home using a pared back palette made up primarily of timber, stone, concrete and glass.

“Everything in the house is calming, simple and highly crafted with a Japanese influence,” she says.

The house has a Japanese sensibility, with wider doorways and seamless thresholds to allow the owners to age in place. Image: Dion Robeson Styling: Anna Flanders

Thresholds are seamless, doorways have been designed to be wide enough for wheelchairs to easily pass through and fixtures like taps do not require twisting to function. Skirting height sensor lights mark common pathways, like from the garage to the living space, to improve safety without compromising the interior design aesthetic.

“The lighting has been designed to make life easier for them,” she says. “It’s very subtle. One of the owners has sight issues because of cataracts, so glaring light is really bad.”

Because of the narrow nature of the site, drawing light into the north west-facing house was always going to be a challenge. Hunt designed three internal courtyards with retractable doors placed at different points throughout the floorplan to allow in light and improve ventilation. These internal gardens also serve to bring a natural element into the house, connecting it to the parklands outside.

“The courtyards are on the west side and the east side,” Hunt says. “They have shade blinds controlled via remote control to go out over the whole courtyard to protect the plants when it is really bright light.

“They are all plants the owner has nurtured in her greenhouse so we had instant gardens.”

The flexibility of the design allows the owners to close the house off when the wind picks up while keeping all the internal spaces

Mirvac has topped out Trielle at Melbourne’s Yarra’s Edge, with more than 70 per cent of the riverfront development sold and approximately 80 per cent of purchasers intending to make their apartment a home.

The figures, released on September 22, point to an owner-occupier audience for one of the precinct’s final residential towers. Mirvac began developing Yarra’s Edge in 2003, and its latest addition occupies one of the remaining absolute riverfront sites.

Mirvac CEO of Development Stuart Penklis said existing residents were among those moving up within the neighbourhood.

“Many purchasers already have a connection to Yarra’s Edge,” Mr Penklis said, describing buyers whose changing needs were encouraging an upgrade within the precinct.

“As one of the final residential towers within Yarra’s Edge, Trielle represents the culmination of more than two decades of creating one of Melbourne’s most established and sought-after waterfront communities,” Penklis said.

“Positioned on the Collins Street axis with absolute river frontage, Trielle offers residents a rare opportunity to enjoy sweeping views across the Yarra River, Melbourne skyline and Port Phillip Bay, while remaining seamlessly connected to the CBD. With Trielle now more than 70 per cent sold, we’re continuing to see strong demand from buyers seeking quality homes in established locations.”

The developer also flagged a penthouse and sub-penthouse collection with larger layouts, premium finishes and broad outlooks. The planned wellness centrepiece, The Oasis, encompasses a 900-square-metre elevated urban rainforest.

Mirvac General Manager Residential Development Victoria Elysa Anderson said Trielle had resonated strongly with buyers seeking a rare lifestyle offering in Melbourne.

“Opportunities to secure a new luxury residence on a riverfront site of this calibre are incredibly rare, particularly within a community like Yarra’s Edge,” Anderson said.

“What makes Trielle unique is the combination of exceptional views, world-class residential facilities and the lifestyle that already exists around it. Residents are buying into a mature waterfront community with parks, promenades, dining, wellness and strong community connections already in place.”

The 45-level tower brings a substantial new presence to that waterfront. Its residential offering spans one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, with Signature, Prestige and Sub-Penthouse collections accommodating different household sizes. The north-facing position connects the apartments visually to the river and city beyond.

Seven storeys above the promenade, the planned Oasis combines planting and a running stream with a Scandinavian-inspired wellness club developed with spa specialist Naomi Gregory. Facilities include a 25-metre lap pool, hot magnesium pool, sauna, hydrotherapy, a gym, yoga and Pilates room, and treatment spaces.

The amenity extends beyond exercise. Residents will have access to The Biblioteca library and workspaces, ground-floor work pods, and The Salone piano lounge. A private Chef’s Table dining room offers a setting for larger gatherings, while a cinema, games room and sports lounge broaden the entertaining options. Concierge services and a dog-wash area support everyday routines.

Trielle comprises a collection of one, two, three and four-bedroom residences. Reflecting strong demand from owner occupiers, approximately 80 per cent of purchasers to date intend to live in their homes, highlighting the project’s appeal to those seeking a long-term waterfront lifestyle.

Mirvac has recently delivered The Albertine, a premium apartment development on the edge of Melbourne’s CBD, and is nearing completion of Prince & Parade in Brunswick, further strengthening its portfolio of thoughtfully designed apartment communities in some of Melbourne’s most sought-after urban locations.

The west coast home with a zen-like sensibility

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Mirvac’s 45-level Trielle has topped out at Yarra’s Edge, pairing riverfront apartments with wellness facilities, private dining and resident services.