Paying homage to the style of Palm Springs, Tim Ditchfield Architecture integrates sleek, uninterrupted lines of the renowned Californian setting into the Las Palmas house. While drawing inspiration from the clients’ visit to Palm Springs and their experience at the iconic mid-century Kaufmann House, the architect ensures Las Palmas remains in harmony with the essence of Noosa Heads. “There seem to be a lot of parallels between Palm Springs and Noosa Heads, and I think a lot of that comes from a beautiful climate and a celebration of indoor-outdoor living,” says Oskar Booth, architect at Tim Ditchfield Architecture and project architect for Las Palmas.
Overlooking Noosa River, the waterfront location of Las Palmas offers sweeping vistas of the surrounding scenery. “We wanted to be sympathetic to the neighbourhood with this project, so from the riverside, it’s not a dominant form. It’s only two storeys and built in a small proportion, and it’s the same with the streetside, as we chose to set back the front fence,” says Oskar. Positioning the home along the river’s edge also creates an opportunity to utilise the street-facing facade for a sprawling landscape, blending boulders and cacti in the sculptural style reminiscent of Palm Springs.
Upon arrival, one is immediately welcomed by a native garden, leading into a courtyard that integrates indoor and outdoor areas – a hallmark of modernist architecture. “This is the crux of the project; you get to experience all the elements of the building and slowly take that in before you arrive,” says Oskar. Then, reaching a landing, one is afforded a view of the river and glimpses of the mangroves against the backdrop of Noosa. Descending a couple of steps leads to an area with a terrace that overlooks the river. “It feels like it’s hovering above the riverbank with no balustrade, and it really gives that intimate connection of river to house that we’re after.”
Many changes have been made to the house, alongside considered selections of art and decor scattered throughout. A utilitarian wing of the home also houses service amenities and guest bedrooms boasting a northern orientation overlooking the courtyard. Additionally, there’s an intimate main suite that resembles a luxury hotel, with framed views and an open-plan bathroom. “It is also fully appointed, so you don’t even have to go to the kitchen for a cup of tea,” notes Oskar.
The interior design showcases a diverse palette of materials, including aluminium, concrete, blackbutt timber and glass. Different types of concrete have been incorporated: a smooth form, an original board finish that adds texture and creates dramatic shadows, as well as honed concrete for a consistent appearance both inside and out. Given the owner works in the aluminium industry, this material features heavily throughout the house in unconventional ways. With great attention to detail, Las Palmas embodies Tim Ditchfield Architects’ combination of modernist aesthetics and contemporary interior design, resulting in a house that resonates with the essence of the Noosa Heads area.
00:00 – Introduction to the Palm Springs Inspired House
00:52 – A Palm Springs Inspired Brief
01:31 – The Layout of the Home
02:34 – Focusing on the Different Levels
03:52 – A Robust Material Palette
04:41 – Proud Moments
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Photography by Scott Burrows.
Architecture by Tim Ditchfield Architects.
Build by GV Emanuel Constructions.
Windows by Vitrocsa.
Filmed and edited by Dan Preston.
Production by The Local Project.
Location: Noosa Heads, Queensland, Australia
The Local Project acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners of the land in Australia. We recognise the importance of Indigenous peoples in the identity of our country and continuing connections to Country and community. We pay our respect to Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Indigenous people of these lands.
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