Armadale Residence by Mim Design and Conrad Architects.

Two proud houses made of bold and rectilinear features have proudly taken over the prestigious property on Horsburgh Grove, Armadale, Melbourne. Aptly named Armadale Residence, the houses are designed by Mim Design and Conrad Architects — with Conrad Architects heading the architecture and Mim Design overseeing the interiors. Together with BCG Constructions, the team established houses that celebrate minimalism with classical architecture references — making the notion of living in this residence that of class and style.

Unlike its neighbours, the newly established residence is fronted by rectilinear forms made of limestone, with linear volumes extracted to reveal a pattern of portal frames, adding depth to the façade. The limestone is complimented by ebony steel for the garage gate, window frames, planter boxes and balustrades in different thicknesses to further accentuate Conrad Architecture’s signature residential silhouette.

Related: Middle Park Residence by Conrad Architects.

Inside, this home consists of three levels — a basement serving as a generous garage, ground and first floor, all interconnected by a white ribbon-esque spiral staircase. With the property’s rear grounded as the north orientation, rooms are proportionally configured to ensure positioning of the windows and the skylight would allow optimal light.

The entrance begins with a corridor that guides visitors from the relatively private quarters towards the open kitchen and dining at the back — enjoying the views towards the landscape by Paul Bangay Garden Design. Meanwhile, places of rest are reserved for the level above, with access to a generous veranda with large operable louvre screens to open or enclose the space at will.

As luxurious as it is on the outside, Armadale Residence is equally evocative of the interior qualities conceived by Mim Design. Brooding dark pallets of stained timber, dark chevron timber flooring, Versilia marble, balanced by polished white plaster, bleed and stretch into shared public areas. Black frames and gunmetal tapware articulate on the edges of the joinery to sharpen the geometric patterns seen throughout.

Related: Bower Manly Apartments by Mim Design & Koichi Takada.

Taking advantage of the natural lighting, additional signposting of public and private spaces are made clear with the darker material palette. The designers, wanting to offer spaces of retreat and solace, assigned personal rooms, such as the study and the master suite, with varying textures of black and grey, with a touch of bronze for warmth. Spaces for ablution otherwise are carved out by cinder marble volumes, while the master suite is embraced by fields of burnt caramel textiles and balanced with milk-chocolate timber walk-in closet sectioned to the side of the bedroom.

Ceremoniously grand in geometry and styling, Armadale Residence is a capsule model for luxurious living. Quality materials paired with unwavering linear forms shape its space and surroundings, while also creating a portal effect — adding to this home’s unending enthusiasm in offering a fresh experience upon journeying from room to room.

[Imges courtesy of Mim Design and Conrad Architects. Photography by Timothy Kaye.]