SLD Residence at Toorak, Melbourne by Davidov Architects

ByJon Dykstra Houses

A photo of SLD residence on a suburb area.

Area: 513sqm
Family size: 4
Photography: Veeral Patel
Design: Davidov Architects

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About Studio

As a design studio, we work together with our clients to distill their needs, discarding the latest trends to arrive at an outcome that simply enhances and supports their lifestyle. Our designs are understated in character, opting for a sense of permanence and solidity in their execution. Material, space, and light are modified through a lens of simplicity creating meaningful spaces that nourish and uplift us.

Through a pared-back approach to our architecture and interiors, our work spans a range of scales and typologies from private houses, multi-residential projects, and homewares to institutional work. Our approach to each new commission is to build a strong relationship with our clients to unlock their vision.

To do this we must first gain an understanding of our client’s motivations and character as well as an understanding of the site and its potential. By discarding the latest trends and embracing an approach of simplicity and order, we arrive at a pragmatic yet poetic outcome.

The studio’s design direction is driven by a desire for refined simplicity and the personal; drawing inspiration from memory and an appreciation of the understated and vernacular. Travels through the Levant, Latin America, and rural Europe meld with recollections of life in Melbourne.

Our designs focus on crafting warm minimalist spaces through the principles of proportion, spatial sequence, composition, materiality, and light. The result is the creation of architecture that is timeless.

Robert Davidov is an active member of the local architecture community being heavily involved as a committee member of Architeam and is currently mentoring the next generation of architects through the University of Melbourne and the Australian Institute of Architects.

He was awarded the Ernest Fooks Memorial Award for Design and the FMSA Award for Architecture and Construction. He has been named to the Dean’s Honours List on 5 occasions.

Zooming in, one can see the house's austere, monolithic exterior.
Zooming in, one can see the house’s austere, monolithic exterior.
The glass wall and the monolithic exterior are visible in this section.
The glass wall and the monolithic exterior are visible in this section.
With two sofas facing one other and a thick black table, the living room's design exudes elegance and tranquillity.
With two sofas facing one other and a thick black table, the living room’s design exudes elegance and tranquillity.
A wooden dining table that divides the interior's color from the kitchen and a white counter table that completes the space are located on the other side.
A wooden dining table that divides the interior’s color from the kitchen and a white counter table that completes the space is located on the other side.
This area is flooded with natural light, which serves as a gauge for the passing of the seasons.
This area is flooded with natural light, which serves as a gauge for the passing of the seasons.
The glass table was in the perfect location to take advantage of the natural light flowing in from the outside.
The glass table was in the perfect location to take advantage of the natural light flowing in from the outside.
The entire interior is covered in white paint, from the ceiling to the floor.
The entire interior is covered in white paint, from the ceiling to the floor.
The bedroom is quite bright because of the natural light that comes to the outdoors.
The bedroom is quite bright because of the natural light that comes outdoors.
Because of the large glass windows, the bathroom is just as light as the other rooms.
Because of the large glass windows, the bathroom is just as light as the other rooms.
The wines and liquors are displayed in this room of the house, which has glass doors.
The wines and liquors are displayed in this room of the house, which has glass doors.
The wooden rack containing several wines is shown here.
The wooden rack containing several wines is shown here.
This room, which is adjacent to the wine room, features unique illumination and dark lighting.
This room, which is adjacent to the wine room, features unique illumination and dark lighting.
Here is the complete house sketch.
Here is the complete house sketch.

Located on a busy road in the suburb of Toorak, the stark monolithic facade disguises a house filled with an abundance of natural light and becomes an instrument for measuring the day and seasons. The project sets out to redefine the way we engage with our family and friends through a pared-back approach to spatial planning.

The width of the block (17.5m) allows for circulation around a central core on the ground floor which enables the design of the house to be centered around two primary rooms, one for living and the other for entertaining.

By Jon Dykstra · See their LinkedIn.