Dilkera – Brisbane living immersed in water, earth and sky

By
Willow Aliento
|

In designing Dilkera, the award winning Brisbane studio Shaun Lockyer Architects has created a luxury home that is uniquely attuned to the environment.

Located on the edge of the Brisbane River with an uninterrupted view of the city, the home frames the setting, rather than being imposed upon it.

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Configured with expansive openings to the outdoors and blurred thresholds between nature and the human interior, the elements themselves reside in the home. For the riverside living areas, deep eaves and full-width operable glazed doors bring the breezes and the sounds of the river into the space. The feeling is one of connection with the landscape, rather than containment of the indoors.

Photography by Christopher Frederick Jones

Because Brisbane is known for its subtropical storms with their heavy rain and high winds, the home required weather protection that could be selectively applied as needed and would not detract from the clean lines.

Verosol External Ambience Wire Guide Blinds in hemisphere were chosen for the external western edge facing the river and for the eastern external outlook of the ensuite. These robust, durable blinds provide both exemplary protection from the elements, while also being extremely reliable and smooth to operate. The slim, compact fittings integrate discreetly with the architecture, and at the height of summer, the blinds can also provide an additional shade element, so the al fresco nature of the living space can be comfortably enjoyed in every season.

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Photography by Ben Cribb Visuals
Photography by Ben Cribb Visuals

Given the open nature of the architectural scheme, a solution was also required for ensuring privacy and control of light levels for some of the internal rooms. This was achieved with Verosol Ambience motorised multi-link roller blinds to span the wide openings efficiently. Aligning with the overall interior aesthetic, a combination of 205 SilverScreen performance semi-transparent and 712 Trezzini blockout was specified. SilverScreen offers view & heat control to comfortably enjoy the panorama during the day and Trezzini blockout showcasing a textured three-dimensional look and feel, which both complement the texture of the off-form concrete walls and the feature timber indoors.

Photography by Ben Cribb Visuals
Photography by Ben Cribb Visuals

Verosol’s commercial partner, CUCHI Window Covering Specialists, also specified Verosol Custom Curtain Tracking to provide a smooth operation of the Linen blend fabrics used throughout the home that provide a sense of seclusion and softening in bedrooms and the main living area.

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Photography by Ben Cribb Visuals

One of the features of the Verosol service CUCHI and the project design team valued very highly was the provision of technical information during project planning, which enabled clarity of decision-making and gave certainty of the performance qualities of the products. Early selection and integration of products creates an elegant streamlined aesthetic where products are recessed and concealed when not in use. The trend for concealed service & utility is showcased in this project.

The result is a home that lives and breathes, attuned to its environment, while modulating the extremes of that environment to ensure the comfort and enjoyment of those who call Dilkera home.

Photography by Ben Cribb Visuals

We think you might also like to read Design According To Heritage And Climate: Shaun Lockyer.