Petersen Kolumba™ bricks are the perfect fit for a simple, well refined form in Aberfeldie

On arrival at Aberfeldie Residences, two thoughts come to mind: simple minimalism and an uncompromising attention to detail. This unassuming two storey dual occupancy is thoughtfully and meticulously designed by M3 Group, with no stone left unturned, and no expense spared.

The principal residence was designed as a large forever home for the owners, and the second dwelling was sold. Although the dwellings look identical from the street, both with four bedrooms and three bathrooms, the second dwelling has quite a standard footprint. The owners’ home has a more expansive and unique floor plan with open, well-lit spaces, and several bespoke features, like an indoor pool inside the entrance and a sprawling basement that wraps underneath next door’s dwelling, occupying the nearly the entire site. It has been built for the couple and their extended family to come together, have a meal, enjoy the pool, and provide ample space for grandchildren to run around.

The real skill in this project was Architect Gianni Mancuso’s unique vision, and the incredible care and commitment the construction team applied to deliver on it; something that required teamwork and considerable thinking outside the square.

“The owners’ dwelling is quite unique, the ground floor has been designed with a clear span with almost no walls for horizontal bracing, so standing at the front, you can almost see straight through to the rear yard. It is quite a long lot, so it is quite special to be able to do so. It was an engineering feat to achieve, but the outcome is amazing, it’s a clear, open space for the kitchen, living and dining areas downstairs, with an indoor pool just adjacent to the entrance,” explains Gianni, architect, M3 Group.

Externally, Aberfeldie Residences is a simple, well refined form, with a pared back palette of Petersen Kolumba bricks, aluminium and glass: “Our ethos as designers is to be minimal, we don't want to have a whole series of materials that are competing,” says Gianni.

The pale grey Petersen Kolumba™ (K91) bricks were the perfect fit for this design, which in true M3 Group style, has set a new benchmark in the suburb for a high quality, contemporary design.

“My clients fell in love with the Petersen Kolumba™ bricks, they really loved the profile, the texture and the colour so we used them to ground the project with quite a substantial front fence and a striking blade wall that partitions both dwellings. The Petersen bricks are an exceptional product, and they complement the form, proportion and palette so well,” remarks Gianni.

The chamfered aluminium walls are a crisp, sharp contrast to the tactility and warmth of the Petersen Kolumba™ bricks, the two materials delivering a striking contemporary presence on the street front.

Of course, simplicity doesn’t mean easy.

While the naked eye sees simple, clean lines, there was an incredible amount of detailing and effort behind it all to create a seamless, well resolved facade.

“Just to design the brick spandrels and how they interface with the three-millimetre-thick aluminium cladding used to create the chamfers and the reveals … a lot of thought goes into creating those simple forms and proportions and making sure the intent of a simple brick blade wall is not eroded by engineers telling us we must do certain things. So, all the way through we had to try and push the consulting team and the builder to achieve what we think is a great outcome,” explains Gianni.

Hands-on work and commitment to a quality result paid dividends. The Aberfeldie Residences are a credit to the entire team in delivering a spectacular, timeless façade.

As Gianni says, “the eye enjoys it because of all the work that’s gone into it. And for me the front facade is my favourite part … the substantial front fence and a striking blade wall consisting of the Petersen Kolumba™ bricks is particularly special.”

There is beauty in simplicity and Aberfeldie Residences is case in point, with its simple proportions, materials and clean lines. Most importantly, it’s exactly as Gianni intended – a simple design done exceptionally well. That’s what sets this home apart: “It’s really rewarding to see what we presented to the client three or four years ago look pretty much the same as what you see now, and it's really special to have a client that is committed to that as well.”

Architect and build: M3 Group

Product: Handmade Petersen K91 bricks

Bricklayer: Mark Barclay

Landscape: Plume Studio

Photography: Chris Murray