Join us as we explore the familial downsizing story and transformation of a Hampton family home into a boutique penthouse and kitchen with Cantilever.
Paul and Christine saw the inevitable downsizing from the home they raised their family in as imminent and interestingly, they took a less than conventional path to building their future home together. Having loved the location of where they had lived and the surrounding amenity and proximity to the Hamptons Bay, Paul and Christine took the less likely route of developing their family home into five boutique home-sized apartments. Together with a skilled and impassioned crew; Linacre Park Penthouse showcases the close collaboration with the team at Cantilever and the bespoke kitchen and joinery that developed as part of their journey to scaling-down to create a forever home.
Produced in partnership with Cantilever.
High durability Dekton benchtops by Cosentino feature radius corner detailing.
Paul and Christine both have backgrounds in graphic design and have run their own advertising agency and graphic design studio for just under thirty years. After also playing an active role in caring for their ageing parents, they say, “we have observed first-hand the effects on the quality of life, and housing and practicalities play a major role in that.”
They add that “After our children had left home and the development overlay was introduced in the area, we saw a window of opportunity to create something specifically tailored for us at the age we are now, and into the future.” The resulting collaboration with design architect Peter Maddison Architects, construction architect Kiril Architects and Lowe Group as the builder, saw the couple embark on a new role, as developer. Keen to ensure every element and detail was considered, the close resulting relationship with Cantilever was both crucial and inevitable.
At the core of the Linacre Park development philosophy, was an ease in the transition from their current circumstances, and fellow downsizers. Christine and Paul say, “it offers long term liveability due to clever design considerations, designed specifically for owner-occupiers who were looking for quality over quantity.”
Designing a home that didn’t compromise had to be integrated from the beginning, and through the care of both the clients and design of Travis Dean (from Cantilever) every element could be captured. A whole-home approach was adopted, with the kitchen as the incubus for the custom joinery throughout the rest of their home.
The functional pantry includes a pull-out stainless steel benchtop, integrated lighting and pocket doors for a small-footprint.
“Paul had a really strong design sensibility, not only was he confident with design but he also married that together with quality materials. ”
– Travis Dean, Director at Cantilever
Key to the downsizing process meant storage was imperative. Cantilever’s approach was to respond to the context and brief and work closely with the residents, to maximise their design and manufacturing capabilities. Also based in Melbourne their approach is centred around tailoring solutions for future-focussed spaces. Wanting to offer a custom product, but also for themselves, each apartment was designed as, “Architecturally significant and of impressive high-end design, fit-out and build, was priced to offer significant value-for-money and designed to be future proof.”
From the kitchen, master bedroom, study and guest bedroom where an integrated bed is concealed, to hallway storage and custom living room entertainment storage, an emphasis has been placed on a user-friendly outcome. Paul and Christine say, “our brief was to design the apartments for old age, but not make them look like that, with safety an important consideration, no steps, ergonomic maintenance,” which includes the introduction of home automation.
“Our brief was to design the apartments for old age, but not make them look like that, with safety an important consideration, no steps and ergonomic low maintenance.”
– Paul and Christine
Leveraging Cantilever’s expertise across the design and detail of all joinery elements ensured that the outcomes for Paul and Christine’s penthouse were easily applied to the other four apartments which also ensured consistency. From layout design, storage considerations and the placement of appliances, Travis, Paul and Christine worked together to maintain a high quality throughout.
Blum cabinet fittings and integrated appliances such as the Gaggenau Freezer and Refrigerator, Clark‘s EPURE sink with chopping board accessory and Miele’s oven and steam combination, and integrated coffee machine were crucial elements included in the kitchen space. The laundry area includes an Asko drying cupboard, washer and dryer complete with a compact foldaway ironing board. Technology was used to create a more connected home, which extends to the integration of Siri in the kitchen and living spaces, automated lighting throughout, Sonos speakers and electric blinds by Somfy.
Veneer panelling which highlights solid timber radiused corners creates warmth throughout the home.
“They showed unwavering integrity in the choices they made for the project. It is a building designed to age gracefully in. Alongside your pets, neighbours and each other, with consideration given to each.”
– Kylie Forbes, Business Manager at Cantilever
Not just a kitchen, but a solution to considerations learned over a lifetime in one’s own home, the collaboration between first-time developer and owners Paul and Christine were aided by the well-versed experience of Cantilever, through local manufacturing and design knowledge. From the curved edge detailing for uninterrupted movement to imbedded functionality engineered with Blum technology, the added warmth and ease of being part of the conversation to propose a custom solution to their home from the beginning, ticked all the boxes for this future-focussed home.
