Casa Fawkner

Fawkner House is a collection of nine large-scale apartments that captures the cachet of Melbourne’s exclusive Domain Precinct. RMA’s response pays homage to Le Corbusier’s 1954 chapel, Notre Dame du Haut in Ronchamp, through its combination of organic mass, distinctive form and spatial diversity.

The practice began by embracing the site's natural qualities. Sitting atop the crest of a hill, it enjoys abundant sunlight and views of the long-established trees of stately Fawkner Park, over the rooftops of South Yarra, and towards the street lights of Chapel Street. Although the site allowed for many more apartments, the decision was made to limit the offer to only nine large-scale residences. This aligns with RMA's core philosophy: today, the greatest luxury is space.

Specific challenges met through design include the side blade walls, which provide views to Fawkner Park while limiting views to the neighbours, and the terrace windows, which are set back from the front façade to provide shade and privacy. Terrace edges are lined with landscaping to give each level a feeling of living in a garden setting in the foreground while framing park views in the distance.

High-quality and finely crafted finishes elevate the interiors, such as the custom-made door at each apartment's entrance. The plantings and curved walls also pay particular attention to each apartment's acoustics and air quality.

The entrance hall sets the scene for modern elegance, inlaid with a semi-circle of Calacatta Viola marble featuring light stone and dark veins. A triple-height space rises above it, culminating in a curved roof light and polished, reflective walls. Apartments feature 3-metre ceilings, curved walls, and rich materials. Marble and dark hand-stained timber balance the abundance of light with solidity.

Broad hallways present a gallery-like space for artworks. The interiors also feature dividing steel-frame glass doors, combining the contemporary style of open-plan design with a more traditional approach to separate living areas and allowing more sunlight to stream through each space.

Kitchens and bathrooms exude elegance through marble and natural stone and a fine use of brass around the mirrored cabinets and tapware. Elsewhere, hand-stained timber floors and polished plaster fireplaces bring detailed craftsmanship to large-scale spaces.

The exterior and interior spaces are serene in their expression, with no competing elements. In this way, the architecture has a sense of mindfulness, with scientific rigour behind its seemingly effortless composition, ultimately making each space a pleasure to inhabit.