Coy Yiontis Architects

St. Vincent Place Residence

St. Vincent Place Residence
© Peter Clarke

ST. VINCENT PLACE RESIDENCE

Coy Yiontis Architects

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Luke Rabl

BUILDER
Giovanni Mangano

SWIMMING POOL
Aloha Pools

LEAD ARCHITECTS
George Yiontis, Kerry Kounnapis

LAND SURVEYOR
Adshead & Mcquie Pty. Ltd

ENGINEER STRUCTURAL
Keith Long & Associates

BUILDING SURVEYOR
Ch Group Pty Ltd

ENGINEER CIVIL
Keith Long & Associates

LIGHTING
Light Project

PHOTOGRAPHS
Peter Clarke

AREA
360 m²

YEAR
2019

LOCATION
Melbourne, Australia

CATEGORY
Apartments

St. Vincent Place Residence
© Peter Clarke

Text description provided by architect.

St Vincents Place afforded Coy Yiontis Architects the rare opportunity to revisit a previous project, through the second owner – a client sympathetic to the original plan’s intent and the architect’s uncompromising commitment to highest-quality execution.

Situated on one of Melbourne’s most coveted heritage streets, the 2010- completed house was a contemporary build that replaced a rundown 1930s dwelling.

St. Vincent Place Residence
© Peter Clarke
St. Vincent Place Residence
© Peter Clarke

Approvals were hard-fought and won, culminating in a ruling against council and heritage opposition.Fast-forward a number of years, and the new owner engaged CYA to reconfigure and update the interior.

What began as an enlargement of the garage to accommodate the client’s prestige vehicle collection – now on impressive showcase to the dining area via a glazed portal – evolved into an extensive renovation.

St. Vincent Place Residence
© Peter Clarke
St. Vincent Place Residence
© Peter Clarke

This was due in part to the discovery that the architects’ original specification and detail had not been adopted, and the build quality had been compromised (the architect had not been engaged to manage the construction).

Opportunities to reinstate features from the original design such as custom ceiling windows arose. Newly installed light shafts now create the intended atmosphere; dramatic in effect and spectacularly emphasising the marble-clad interiors.

St. Vincent Place Residence
© Peter Clarke
St. Vincent Place Residence
© Peter Clarke

Minimalist design, atmospheric light and Japanese-style landscaping had always driven design decisions and were allowed to continue to do so. 

The interior concept communicates a strong relationship between the interior and exterior; this idea is vitalised by the application of aether marble and fallow granite both inside and out.

St. Vincent Place Residence
© Peter Clarke
St. Vincent Place Residence
© Peter Clarke

Similar in grey tone and veined texture, the stone merges beautifully with the surrounding landscape, and sits comfortably alongside an intentionally restrained base palette.

A subtle interior scheme comprising the grey marble and dark European oak joinery and flooring is enhanced by careful, sophisticated detailing and minimalist fixtures and fittings, like brushed chrome tapware.

St. Vincent Place Residence
© Peter Clarke
St. Vincent Place Residence
© Peter Clarke

The renovation’s intentionally controlled aesthetic allows the landscape to be the focal point from the interior of the house.

The floorplan remained organised around the central north-facing courtyard, which was always intended as the focal point of the home. It is foremost an entertaining space for the client – a space for gathering friends and family yearround.

St. Vincent Place Residence
© Peter Clarke
St. Vincent Place Residence
© Peter Clarke

Finally able to capitalise on the area’s potential, the architects set to work celebrating and maximise its lustrous atmosphere, including the introduction of a spa and rejuvenation of the swimming pool.


St. Vincent Place Residence
© Peter Clarke
St. Vincent Place Residence
© Peter Clarke
St. Vincent Place Residence
© Peter Clarke


St. Vincent Place Residence
Ground floor plan
St. Vincent Place Residence
First floor plan


St. Vincent Place Residence
Section AA
St. Vincent Place Residence
Section BB


St. Vincent Place Residence
East elevation
St. Vincent Place Residence
West elevation
St. Vincent Place Residence
South elevation

Coy Yiontis Architects
T +61 3 95105700
Coy Yiontis Architects
8 Hillingdon Pl, Prahran VIC 3181, Australia