How Serpells Place fits into the Templestowe landscape
Located on Templestowe’s golden mile, nestled amongst idyllic greenery and landmark mansions, Serpells Place is being developed as a joint venture between Hub Property Group, Hewson and Gacesa, who have teamed up to produce something the quiet suburb hasn't seen before.
Setting a new benchmark for the area, Serpells Place is a collection of just 20 house-sized apartments designed by award-winning design firm KUD.
KUD's Managing Director, Billy Kavellaris, says the vision for Serpells Place was to compose a building with a contemporary form, enduring materiality and generous scale, that blends seamlessly with its surrounds.
Crafted to command the streetscape whilst honouring its location, KUD have envisioned a bold and engaging facade design, which has been curated to blend seamlessly from the outdoors in.
“Serpells Road is one of the most esteemed streets in Templestowe. It’s wide, filled with trees and has a beautiful link to the past, lined by large acreage properties. We took elements of the area and then metaphorically put them together to create something that is dynamic and engaging," he said.
Clean lines and robust materials are juxtaposed by the vibrant greenery of the landscape, which has been designed by John Patrick Landscape Architects, creating a seamless harmony between the built form and the Templestowe landscape.
Three distinct layers each present an individual design moment, says Kavellaris, creating a sense of visual depth.
“To the middle level, the building is softened by fluid curves, imbuing a sculptural quality that is only enhanced by cascading vines, while extensive glazing allows abundant natural light into the homes whilst allowing for a connection to the landscaping and surrounding views.”
“No expense was spared for the finishes and fixtures of Serpells Place. Enhanced by expansive living spaces, the level of quality and craftsmanship speaks for itself,” he added.
Whilst designing the interiors, KUD took cues from the facade to create a seamless, free flowing transition between in and out.
“We don’t see interiors and exteriors as seperate concepts. Whenever we design a building, there’s a language we explore on the outside, and then we pick up on these cues internally. It might be in the materials, the textures, or a form. The idea is that as you walk in, there’s a language and a story that unfolds in a linear way.”
Favouring soft textures, natural materials and cool tones, the finished palette has been curated to cultivate a rich and harmonious sensory experience, enhanced by plentiful natural light.
The pièce de résistance of the apartments is the chef’s kitchen, featuring a sleek wine fridge, state-of-the-art appliances, a butler’s pantry and a bar area, along with a striking island bench, designed to emulate the soft curves of the facade, adorned in a grey marble.
“The kitchens are probably bigger than what you’d find in a residential house. They’ve got extensions of bars and their own butler’s pantry as well as heaps of storage. These residences are for people who want spacious, high-quality design with the low maintenance lifestyle of an apartment.”
No expense was spared for the finishes and fixtures of Serpells Place, says Kavellaris.
Apartments are paired with expansive living spaces, in tow with interior features like timber floors, porcelain tiles, natural stone, and integrated fireplaces.
“Sophisticated yet comfortable, the open-plan living area is a haven for unwinding, entertaining or spending time with loved ones. Here, soaring windows provide seamless outlooks to the landscaping, encouraging residents to feel as if they are wholly immersed in nature, evoking a wonderful sense of wellbeing.”
Sliding doors collapse the boundaries between in and out, allowing the terrace, living, dining and kitchen areas to become one all-encompassing space.
One of the things Templestowe is renowned for is its rolling hills, abundant landscaping and mature trees.
Drawing inspiration from the landscape, KUD focussed on incorporating large openings to create the physical connections to the outdoors, along with large light courts throughout, allowing sunlight and ventilation through two sides of the residences.
A limited number of residences remain in Serpells Place, with two-bedroom, two-bathroom and two car space-apartments starting from $950,000.