DISTINCTIVE DESIGNS – Featured Article, December 2024
Words: Jamie Quinn Photography: Andrew O’Sullivan and Grant Mangin
Tucked away on Knowles Street in the quiet neighbourhood of St Albans sits a labour of love conceptualised by Andrea, a seasoned Director at Foley Group Landscape Design, and Andrew, who oversees DesignMade, a resource centre for Montreux Furniture.
Integral to the home’s realisation was Richard Fantham, Company Director and Project Manager at Radius Building, who joined the project early to lend his expertise on construction details that enhance the home’s design.
“This home was very much built by collaboration,” Richard emphasises. A standout feature of this collaborative effort is the striking copper entry door, a complex piece requiring collaboration among seven different companies, including a joiner, electrician, steel supplier, and locksmith, to ensure it met all performance standards. “It’s not just a door. There were actually seven different trades involved.”
The design intricacies of the Knowles Street home are subtly woven into its structure. This technical accomplishment extends to the exceptional coordination evident in the home’s unique features, like the illuminated stairs, hidden exterior doors, and the placement of fixtures.
Founded in 2006, Radius Building has evolved to focus intensely on customer experience, a vision strongly influenced by Richard’s early observations in the industry. “Anything less than people being raving about us by the time we finish isn’t good enough,” Richard says. The proof lies in their recent projects, consistently meeting deadlines and financial forecasts.
“The design brief was to merge classic contemporary elements with practical functionality for family living,” Andrew shares. “We drove for quality materials, fixtures, and fittings throughout the whole project so you can naturally reflect and be proud of the end result, which we are. Concrete, cedar and steel are a pretty embracing formula visually, so its application has to be on point.”
Every corner of the house speaks to the expertise of its creators. “You arrive at the double copper doors. Down the hall, you’ve got a big void above, so double-height ceiling. This is where the upper level stops short of the external wall, so you’ve got a nice feeling of space in the entry.
“There’s a guest suite on the left, which is co-joined but can be completely independent of the house. The guest suite bathroom is my favourite bathroom we’ve done. It has moody, dark tiles and a mirror that wraps around underneath the vanity,” Richard shares, his pride in their work evident.
“The flooring is warm and inviting, leading to a media room designed to be snug and dark,” Richard notes. The living area expands into an open, airy space with views outside, enhanced by colonial bars on the joinery—a nod to the heritage of the previous house that once stood here.
The couple’s vision for a functional yet aesthetically pleasing family space was brought to life by Dulcie Brown, Principal Architect at Foley Group Architecture. Andrew’s family business, Montreux Furniture, furnished the home, adding a layer of personal touch and luxury.
This Knowles Street home is a perfect example of what happens when visionary clients, an innovative architect, and a builder focused on exceptional service and craftsmanship come together.
