South Yarra House: Brutalism Refined
The South Yarra House, by Melbourne-based Pandolfini Architects, makes a striking impression in one of the city’s most coveted suburbs. While its exterior appears as a monolithic geometric form, its interior comes alive in moments of spatial drama, opening into sculptural volumes that alternate between compression and expansion. Modeled in enduring materials, the house was shortlisted for the 2024 Australian Interior Design Awards, with interiors styled by Simone Haag and landscaping by Myles Baldwin.
Entering the home, you sense the architectural intent immediately. A generous foyer set beneath a soaring concrete shell introduces the narrative, voids, and follow-through moments lay the foundation for what follows. Light filters in through carefully positioned windows and glass panels, animating the muted palette of concrete, timber, and steel.
The open-plan living area unfolds beneath a dramatically curved ceiling that guides views out to a minimalist courtyard and pool beyond. The juxtaposition of softness and structure is deliberate. Timber accents warm the concrete planes; steel cabinetry injects a sense of industrial rigor. Collectively, they craft an understated atmosphere, both calm and richly textural.
Pandolfini’s interior concept uses volume to define space subtly. The dining area is anchored by a bespoke sculptural table, the surrounding furniture carefully curated by Simone Haag to maintain the house’s architecture-forward narrative. In adjacent zones, Kung Fu-style sliding wall panels unveil a guest bathroom and powder room, spaces that echo the material choices of the home, each moment meaningful.
Outdoor living is woven into the design. Multiple courtyards, each one a private sanctuary, anchor the structure, while Myles Baldwin’s planting softens the house’s extroverted shape with lush greenery. These voids connect interiors with their surroundings and facilitate natural light and cross ventilation.
The South Yarra House’s material palette is carefully restrained: board-formed concrete, untreated hardwood, steel, terrazzo, and glazed brick. This foundation allows stellar craft detail to shine, joints are seamless, light fixtures integrate into the architecture, and even concealed doorways appear as walls until activated. It’s a minimalist performance, orchestrated with precision.
Bedrooms are hushed, private yet generous. Textured walls and warm timber set a tone of retreat. Larger-than-life wardrobes are treated as sculptural elements, with hidden seams and ambient lighting. Bathrooms reflect the home’s ethos: stone finishes paired with recessed lighting, frameless glazing, and fireplaces even appear, blending domestic comfort with architectural intention.
The journey through the house is kinetic, spaces push and pull, offering surprise at every turn. Concrete walls curl into staircases. Panels slide to expose secondary lounges, media rooms, or workspace niches. Every moment feels curated, thoughtful, and emotionally connected to purpose.
Pandolfini’s South Yarra House is a fine example of how layering raw structure with refined detail can balance shelter and openness. There’s a calm discipline in the unadorned surfaces and thoughtful transitions. Yet the home doesn’t feel austere, rather, it is restful, tactile, and unexpectedly generous. It is architecture that invites habitation.
Editor’s Note
Architecture & Interior Design: Pandolfini Architects
Furniture, Objects & Styling: Simone Haag
Builder: DOME
Landscape Architecture: Myles Baldwin Design
Engineering: SDA Structures
Photography: Rory Gardiner, Lillie Thompson
This feature highlights the work of Pandolfini Architects, with interiors and styling by Simone Haag. While this is not a That Cool Living project, we are pleased to showcase work that aligns with our values of restraint, material clarity, and architectural depth. The residence is a study in sculptural form and spatial calm, where concrete, timber, and glass find equilibrium.
Projects like this speak to the values we champion: material honesty, spatial calm, and purposeful living.
Design enthusiasts will spot select pieces throughout the interior, available also online at thatcooliving.com.
If you’re an interior designer, architect, or trade professional, we invite you to apply for a That Cool Living Trade Account to access exclusive benefits, custom sourcing, and preferred pricing for your projects.
