Ever Art Wood Kabebari timber look aluminium battens from Covet International were extensively used at a new home in the Melbourne suburb of Toorak, delivering a sense of longevity and permanence to the building.
As a composed insertion to its inner-south locale, the Bell & Fisher Architects designed home considers the surrounding and existing context in comprising its parts on site. Toorak House combines the regularity in framing to create a rhythm, while a crisp outer shell hints at modernist influences.
Funnelling movement to the entrance, an expressive and darkly wrapped wall acts to disguise the garage as a prominent, functional object, instead making it its own textural feature. While the silhouette remains rectilinear elsewhere, the garage becomes a softening gesture between the landscape and the built elements.
Wrapping the arced wall, the Covet Kabebari concealed fix timber look aluminium battens are used in a 40x40 profile in the colour Kurosumi. Combining the textural qualities of traditional timber and the engineering benefits of aluminium, the vertical battens allow the homeowners to maintain a beautiful street presence with minimal maintenance over time.
“The vertical battens elegantly wrap around curved corners to soften the form of the garage and lead the way to the front door of the house, integrating with the landscaping.” - Patrick Gilfedder, Architect
Carrying this established language upward, a similar approach sees the upper parapet of the second level wrapped in a complementary way with the Covet battens. Wanting to have a similar and recessive affect and to lessen the impact of the overall form amongst the existing vistas, the clean fixing was ideal. Selected for their enduring nature when used outside, and the textural qualities, the neatness of the system was also an important and deciding factor in their application throughout.
Completing the picture, Covet powder-coated aluminium battens are used internally as part screen, part divider, matching the wall colour in finish. In reinforcing the spine and linear nature of the home, they balance privacy and separation. The extrusion upward through the stairwell brings light to both levels.
Toorak House is strengthened by the subtle repetition and articulation of the battens, adding depth to the everyday experience of the home.
Product Details
Cladding Profile: Ever Art Wood® Kabebari Battens with 40x40 and 50x150 profiles
Colour: Kurosumi (Discontinued)
Fire Rating: Performs well when tested to AS/NZ 1530.3 (spread of flame / index 0) and AS/NZ 3837-1998 (result / Group 1)
Project Credits
Designer: Guilford Bell & Graham Fisher Architects
Builder: PRM Constructions
Photography: Peter Bennetts Studio
