The interiors alternate glass and timber in a sculptural interplay that delights the senses. There is a felt experience of intrigue as the eye is drawn upwards into the lofty voids. Perfectly placed apertures not only welcome northern light but allow clouds to seemingly float within. Grand central rooms flow each to each, gravitating toward the layered terraces, sparkling waters of the pool.
This creative beauty is an important part of Canberra’s architectural landscape and a fitting inclusion in the city’s impressive mid-century legacy. Delivering six bedrooms and three bathrooms, the design by architect Clem Cummings, serves up an impressive and flexible lived experience. Clem is perhaps best known for the rounded concrete bus shelter’s that have become a much loved part of the bush capital’s iconography, further celebrated in the artwork of Trevor Dickinson.
The low-slung form has a decided lightness, despite the lofty size of the home. Clean lines and horizontal planes seem to rise shyly from clipped hedges, allowing the surrounding hills to loom above in shared harmony. Tumbled brick, terracotta roof tiles and timber panelling complete the organic immersion. A circular drive adds a sweeping dimension, curving around one side of the home where a pair of double garages sit deep within the block.
Raked timber ceilings introduce a golden ambience and there are lovely intimate gestures – timber sunroom or atrium stage, drift to walled northern courtyards and a master wing with its own private terrace encircled by flowering camelias. Organic textures – timber, ceramic, stone, glass and brick- work to earth the cathedral like spaces. And in the spirit of organic modernism, living is informed by a constant connection to nature. The kitchen perfectly placed alongside the grand dining/living with views to the pool and a seamless drift to outdoors.
The master retreat is cleverly designed around a floating pod, housing a shower room and toilet all enclosed within frosted glass. There is a wall of storage, a floating stone bathtub, fixed dresser and bedhead. This timeless wing is completed by a large guest or sixth bedroom that opens to one of two front terraces, both informed by the privatising front gardens.
There are four spacious bedrooms on the eastern side of the home, all with built storage. The family bathroom has lovely proportions and serves up a walk-in-rain shower and freestanding bathtub. The upstairs studio spills to a curved balcony that floats you above the garden and pool. This generous space allows you to work, create, house guests without disturbing the rest of the home. There is a kitchenette, bathroom and fixed cabinetry that extends beneath windows that frame scenic views of Isaac’s Ridge.
O’Malley is an exclusive pocket with a mix of architecturally designed homes and embassies all informed by the scenic beauty of Mt Mugga Mugga Nature Reserve. Quiet roads curve past impressive builds that seem to hug the hillsides, each making the most of the beautiful vistas. There is a decided coupling of tranquil remove and connectivity to a multitude of independent restaurants, cafes and bars at the nearby Woden precinct. Westfield shopping centre and Hoyt’s cinema are nearby and there is an array of health and fitness options at your doorstep, from yoga through to ice-skating. There is easy access to transport, a variety of schools and The Canberra Hospital. The home is also just a stone’s throw from the wonderful restaurants and shops within the boutique suburbs of the inner south. It is a mere 13 kms to the CBD.
features.
.significant 6-bedroom, four-bathroom home designed by architect Clem Cummings
.prestigious O’Malley location
.432 sqm of living
.important part of Canberra’s mid-century modern design history
.classic modernist low-slung form finished in organic textures and tones
.lovely clean lines
.circular driveway and grand entry foyer with open sunroom or atrium
.soaring raked timber ceilings
.perfectly placed clerestory glazings to welcome northern light deep into the plan
.seamless connection to landscape
.two north facing courtyards
.living area or media room opening to rear garden
.delineated dining space or music stage
.grand living combined dining area opening to alfresco patio, terraced gardens and swimming pool
.adjacent kitchen with granite worktops, double electric oven, induction cooktop and dishwasher
.large rumpus room with raw brick detailing and ample built-in-cupboards
.four bedrooms within the eastern wing, all with built-in-robes
.large family bathroom with patterned feature tiles, walk-in-rain shower and freestanding bathtub
.separate powder room
.master suite sequestered on the western side with glassed toilet and shower room, double vanities, stone bathtub, dressing table and banks of seamless storage
.large studio office on the second level, drifting to balcony with stunning views across the pool and out to Isaacs Ridge
.bathroom, kitchenette and custom cabinetry within the flexible studio space
.curated gardens with established flowering trees, water feature and alfresco patios
.ducted heating and cooling plus dedicated ducted systems in master bedroom and studio
.beautiful inground pool set beneath green walls
.two double garages with auto doors
.additional outdoor bathroom
.surrounded by bushland Reserves
.moments from Canberra Hospital and the thriving Woden Precinct
.close to the vibrant village centres of Manuka, Griffith and Kingston
.13 kms to the CBD
fine details (all approximately)
.eer 1.5
.living size 432m2
.land size 1796m2
.uv $1,500,000
.rates $6873 p/a
.build date 1996
.rental estimate $1,600-$1,800 p/w
