Architecture

A Home Of Pink Terrazzo And Endless Archways!

In French, ‘Sans-Arc’ means ‘without an arch’…. which runs contrary to the design of the Plaster Fun House in Torrensville, South Australia, where Sans-Arc Studio have created PLENTY of arches!

This design synthesises diverse inspirations, from the owners’ passion for all things art deco, to their colourful collections of Italian and Czech glassware and German pottery. On paper, it shouldn’t work. But this home is a breath of fresh/colourful/brilliant air!

Written
by
Miriam McGarry

The Plaster Fun House by Sans-Arc Studio. Photo – Tash McCammon.

A pink terrazzo table top runs through this art-deco home.  Photo – Tash McCammon.

Precious collections on display. Photo – Tash McCammon.

The next extension takes inspiration from the tropical themed backyard. Photo – Tash McCammon.

A window seat with a view! Photo – Tash McCammon.

Detail of the terrazzo bench and tabletop in the kitchen and living area. Photo – Tash McCammon.

The home is not afraid of colour and fun. Photo – Tash McCammon.

Writer
Miriam McGarry
8th of April 2019

The owners of this home approached co-directors of Sans-Arc Studio, Sam Cooper and Matiya Marovich, with a wish to combine their love of Art-Deco with a space to display their extensive collection of Italian and Czech glassware and German pottery. Not your everyday client brief!

Sam and Matiya explain that they wanted the interior of the home to ‘fully embrace’ the aesthetics of the owners, and celebrate their eclectic and vibrant collections. The bold objects required storage and display, and the architects responded by ‘splicing’ the existing two bedroom cottage. This reconfiguration opens out the existing dining room to the new 35 sqm addition, and the spaces are joined by a long, pink terrazzo topped dining table/bench.

The Sans-Arc Studio team have delineated different zones of the cottage through clever use of colour and form, to create subtle zoning. The rear of the home now opens out into a tropically-inspired backyard, while a reading nook in the living area offers comfort, and bar stools in the kitchen create a convivial entertaining atmosphere.

Matiya and Sam celebrate the generosity and confidence of the client, who gave the architects ‘relatively free rein.’ They explain ‘it is not often that people are willing to be that bold and “out there” with their home space, and we feel that the results are unique.’

While this home is fun and experimental, the success of the property is underpinned by Sam and Matiya’s expertise, guided by considered design principles. Located in an austere suburb and surrounded by cream and brown brick homes, this property ‘forms its own identity through the use of plaster and arches; playing off the larges trees and greenery in the backyard.’ In less confident hands, this could have been a tropical disaster zone, but the architects combine colour, class and consideration in this fully resolved home.

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