There are plenty of directions one can take when designing your own home, but as an architect working on your own home, the pressures can mount; what should it say, how should it be said, where to focus, the list goes on. For Henry Sgourakis and his SGKS Architecture studio, designing his home is as he says, about creating somewhere “that reflects the vibrancy and energy of their life… open yet intimate, and… filled with colour, curiosity and adventure, while remaining sophisticated.”
It's hard to look at SGKS’s Park Street home and not imagine architect Henry Sgourakis as a kid in a candy store. This is an extremely self-aware home; there are tongues firmly in cheek, nostalgic nods to family, and memories of holidays and romantic weekends that have become wonderful visual treats and details. It is, above all else a home of joy and expression.
“You can’t be precious with it, it’s there to be used,” says Sgourakis, SGKS principal, architect and owner of Park Street. He’s referring to the conversation pit – clad in thick pile, bright blue carpet – but it could be a tagline for the entire home. Above, the bulkhead mimics the curve of the built-in sofa and the terrazzo floors – in custom finish and colour – expand on the story. Like Charles Eames’ famous line, this home takes it fun seriously and the desire to run and jump over the sofa must be impossible to contain, more so if you’re one of Sgourakis’ kids.
Curves abound and the motif is undoubtedly Park Street’s raison d’etre, but just as colour has been applied liberally, it is with with control and consideration, the statement remains the same; not too much, not too little. Sgourakis’s Goldilocks application within this layered space is dealt with deftly.
“There wasn't a huge opportunity to explore too much architectural intent,” says Sgourakis on the exterior, “but on the inside we could do more, especially with the concrete. It’s a pretty rectilinear front facade, so once we went for the concrete and the floating slab, we thought let’s keep the rawness of the material, but soften it through curves.”
Formerly two apartments, the renovation was far more extensive than initially anticipated, requiring a complete internal demolition and significant structural rebuilding. Ultimately a blessing in disguise, the change of plans allowed the home to take on the “unapologetic self-expression” it was designed to spark.
“My wife and I lived in different countries for many years, and we’d catch up in different cities and countries and find these little hotels and a lot of our inspiration is from that time. We used to meet up in Miami or Tokyo and lots of little bits we pulled from then – like the sunburst of art deco and the vibrance of Tokyo. It’s like our 80s Tokyo Motel,” finishes Sgourakis with a knowing smile.
Entering Park Street is to be whisked away to the beautifully imagined, hybrid world Sgourakis speaks of. The terrazzo connects all the rooms of the ground floor, but the hallway, clad in Surround by Laminex leads you on. In the smaller Batten - 25mm – the straight edged grooves offer a timeless aesthetic, that in this context provide the kind of detail that feels distinctively Deco yet retains the modern edge Sgourakis was looking for - and something a painted wall wouldn’t capture.
The lounge room, immediately to the left from entry, is a show unto itself and where the complete interior demolition makes its first statement. Overhead the Deco sunburst ceiling rose makes an extraordinary impression in the concrete slab. It’s starts to come together when taking in the far wall, its wallpaper mural – with palm trees and tigers – abuts a glass-brick section. In front a jade green, velvet sofa rests atop the terrazzo. Miami by way of Tokyo? Absolutely.
Cabinetry features Laminex Portsea and Laminex White to great effect. The latter establishing the arch forms that Sgourakis introduced with the exterior, while the former emits the cool ocean tones and Miami Deco the home embraces. The wide entry walls and floor to ceiling curtains hint at what’s to come teasing the palette without spoiling the reveal of the kitchen or upstairs’ rooms.
And the reveal is something to behold. The incredible orange veined stone of the bench tops and splashback are just two more extraordinary textural elements of this home. Then there’s two-pack blue (a custom colour) with oak veneer below and the stainless-steel cupboards.
Laminex Moroccan Clay AbsoluteMatte® has been used for the cabinetry – and paint matched underneath the island. It is inside the large blue butler’s pantry, on the dry-bar and inside the cupboards.
“We never used white, but all the carcasses are Laminex,” remembers Sgourakis. “AbsoluteMatte®, it's sort of funny, everyone that comes in touches it, you watch them. You have to touch it because it’s got this silkiness to it.”
‘You only live once’ has never rung truer than with SGKS’s unreserved overhaul of this postwar apartment building in St. Kilda. Mixing materials and textures, motifs and inspiration, Park Street celebrates them all. Rather than a perceived hierarchy, material selection should be based on performance and aesthetic contribution, demonstrating that high-quality laminates can be used seamlessly alongside natural stone and custom timber. There is no high or low, just the qualities they bring.
"I keep going back to AbsoluteMatte®. That is a luxury finish,” explains Sgourakis, “and even choosing Laminex colours for carcasses, to celebrate a little moment, have a pop of colour is an opportunity.”
SGKS have thoughtfully merged a traditional, restrained exterior with a deeply personal, vibrant, and eclectic interior. Strong, industrial materials like concrete can be made to feel warm and suitable for a family home when juxtaposed with a deliberate use of soft forms, curves and arches.
Credits:
Designer: SGKS Architecture
Photographer: Tania Lee
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