Located in Brighton, just 20 minutes from the Melbourne CBD, the Split Home is something of a surprise. Sculptural, and quite unlike any of the neighbouring houses, it was conceived – as per the wishes of its owners – as both an entertainer’s dream home and an ‘Escape from Suburbia’. Seidler Group, a family-owned design and construction practice based in nearby Port Melbourne, was responsible for the design.
Externally, the architects met the above-mentioned brief – or at least that part of the brief that called for respite and the creation of a sort of urban oasis – by going against the grain. While most obviously, this is evident in the home’s rippled aluminium façade – which references the winds, waves, and rippled sand of the beachside location – it can also be seen in the architects’ approach to materiality, their incorporation of reclaimed timber, and more.
Internally, meanwhile, the architects went about the task of creating something that, while delivering all the functional requirements of a family home, was adaptable enough to cater, at short notice, for the next social event. Apart from its lower level, which doubles as a mini nightclub, the Split Home incudes several areas that can be simply and seamlessly connected or separated. In addition, the architects sought to blur the distinction between the outdoor and indoor spaces, and in so doing, to further expend the functional possibilities of the Split Home.
Tile strip drains
Whether open or closed to provide protection from the elements, these internal/external thresholds are ‘separated’ by unobtrusive sliding doors, as well as tile insert linear drains. Manufactured and supplied by Stormtech, an organisation with over 30 years of experience in the field of architectural drainage, these products are ideal for this application. Visually appealing yet unobtrusive, and most importantly effective, tile insert drains deliver everything one might expect from the organisation credited with inventing the linear drain.
Made from marine grade stainless steel, they famously include an elongated rectilinear design for water egress that captures the flow of water towards a single exit port. Customised, as per individual requirements in terms of length, they require only a single, relatively insignificant slope.
Together, apart from ensuring their effectiveness and reliability, these design features are responsible for much of the drains’ aesthetic appeal. They allow them to fit and blend seamlessly with the tile floors in which they are installed.
Having worked with Stormtech many times before, and therefore well aware of the attractions of tile insert drains, Seidler Group also specified the products throughout the bathrooms. Here, as elsewhere in the home, they are delivering their reliable combination of functionality and style. And they are helping define the Split Home as an ‘Escape from Suburbia’, by the sea in Brighton.
Stormtech
stormtech.com.au