Shiny Happy House in SA

In the place of a dilapidated 1930s bungalow now stands a family home that is out of this world.

Words: Carrol Baker
Image credit: Sam Noonan

Norwood Gold House in South Australia is vibrant and lively, overflowing with energy and fun, yet it also evokes a sense of tranquility and calm.

This remarkable and unique two-storey home is a beautiful, charming, and undeniably quirky breath of fresh air. Tim Fenton, associate architect from Grieve Gillett Architects, describes it as an abstract deconstruction of a family home. “It’s arranged through a play of angles, folds and facades, of contrasting yet complementary materials, colours and textures,” he muses.

The home is effervescent; it bubbles over with vibrancy and fun, but it also offers a feeling of restfulness, of calm. Tim says the brief was to follow design principles of Vastu Shastra, a 5000-year-old traditional Hindu philosophy of architecture. “It outlines various spatial arrangements and design principles to promote positive energy and harmony within the home,” he says.

This abode also explores the intricacies and nuances between public and private realms that exist within and around a residential property. “The home shares itself with the street, but also creates a sanctuary for its inhabitants,” notes Tim.

Like Alice peering through the looking glass, exploring this distinctive abode is an adventure. There are open living spaces with a cocktail bar, five bedrooms and a study, as well as six ensuites. It has a theatre room, grand piano mezzanine, sunken play area, a winter sunroom and so much more.

Tim says that with Vastu Shastra concepts, importance is placed on capturing morning sunlight in the living spaces by facing east. “The morning sun not only illuminates the physical space, it’s associated with rejuvenation and mental clarity and invites auspicious energy into our lives,” he shares.

The home is light-filled and uplifting; it’s a welcoming and joyous space. There are skylights and large expanses of glazing, and it is bathed in sunlight throughout the day, which promotes positive energy and an organic connection to nature. Tim says the inspired design grew from a collection of concepts, ideas and principles — among them the clients’ own dreams and aspirations. “There’s also the orientation to the sun, the natural poetry available in the existing site and local context, and the overlay of Vastu design concepts,” Tim comments.

There is a bold and dynamic interplay of colours and textures that create a sense of whimsy. Tim says they also drew inspiration from the colour gold. “It captures sunlight on its surface, diffusing, spreading and shimmering, reflecting and redirecting. It changes based on surface textures and finishes,” he says.

Holistically, this project seeks to capture light and life, says Tim. “It reflects the passing of the day, as direct and dappled sunlight slowly swims across the floors and walls and shadows creep in its wake. It’s optimistic and positive, but also calming and soothing.”

When asked what his favourite part is, Tim likens it to a box of chocolates — he says he can’t choose just one. “It’s like a collection of tasty chocolates that make up the whole flavour experience!”

There’s the golden folded copper, the deconstructed verandah with steel sections at seemingly impossible angles, and the random stick fence with the garden spilling through. Taking it inside, the visual feast continues. There’s the playful tiles with distressed textures and vibrant colours, the painted art murals, the giant yellow concealed doors, the hammock hanging in front of a window in the study for thinking in the sky, and that’s just to whet your appetite.

Stepping over the threshold of this home is a journey like no other, reflects Tim. “The abundance of materiality, texture and colour, the way that virtually every room has a different experience to each other — it’s as if you have walked through a portal,” he says.

There are many fabulous elements to this project and finally Tim does confess there is one absolute stand out for him: “The freedom of expression and bravery of the clients and the sense of fun, playfulness and adventure that runs through the soul of the home,” he shares.