BonYan and Carr on Mansard’s quiet confidence in designing for home as a sanctuary 

Located in the lush landscapes of Kooyong’s historic and sophisticated neighbourhood sits BonYan’s newest and most visionary residential project, Mansard; a first-of-its-kind and never to be repeated project brought to life by a collaboration between industry heavyweights, designed by Carr and landscaping by Eckersley Gardens. 

Boasting a collection of 16 sprawling, individually designed residences, the project’s name reflects its contemporary interpretation of the historic mansard roof that offers extra internal space. Extensive brickwork, luxurious travertine and private terraces are the building blocks of this intimate development. 

The facade translates the heritage character of Kooyong into a sophisticated yet timeless expression. Sculptured in three solid built forms with two points of entry, the building’s prominent Mansard roof creates traditional house-like forms on a larger scale, allowing the design to settle seamlessly into the streetscape. 

“The main thoroughfare of Toorak Road, Kooyong, called for a design that catered to both privacy and sound-shielding,” said Carr Associate, Lucy Cuthbertson. 

“Mansard responds to these constraints by pulling the apartment back from the street and establishing thoughtful seclusions to create a comfortable oasis within. The materiality as a whole is quite pared-back yet there’s a quiet confidence to it. 

“The architecture offers really interesting interior spaces created by the architectural form. Drawing inspiration from this, each of the two penthouses has sloping mansard roof enclosures, which create a very intriguing framing device while opening up the roof to views and aspects. In each space throughout the project, Mansard reflects a considered design that prioritises craftsmanship and luxurious materials, supporting the belief that quality is in the detail,” she said. 

Composed predominantly of grey brick and glass, the restrained material palette complements the distinct fabric of the neighbourhood while providing a neutral canvas for the landscaping. Lush vegetation and mature trees delicately envelope the facade to create the sense of a building that is very much alive. 

Located at 709-713 Toorak Road, the architecture’s balanced form and function is guided by behavioural research and trend forecasting that is now synonymous with BonYan developments, to reflect the shift in lifestyle towards tranquillity and home as a sanctuary. 

Echoing the aesthetic of the facade, Mansard’s interiors reveal minimalist and refined lines with subtle moments of detail. Reflecting Carr’s unwavering commitment to craftsmanship, the residences are flushed with soft greys and robust stone. The kitchen has been appointed with a palette of tactile and organic finishes, designed around a striking Italian travertine island bench; this hero material in the living spaces materialises the fireplace, bathrooms and the main bedroom dressing bench. The joinery has been expertly crafted to provide an abundance of integrated storage options, while a suite of innovative V-Zug appliances ensures every meal is cooked to precision. 

Mansard’s serene open-plan living area is characterised by boundless space, plentiful light and thoughtfully crafted details. Cultivating an atmosphere of luxury, the integrated fireplace has been nestled within solid travertine joinery, complemented by hardwood timber floors with a warmly textured quality. Floor-to-ceiling windows draw surrounding vistas deep into the home, opening out to an expansive wrap-around terrace for the ultimate indoor-outdoor living experience. 

Recognising the importance of having one’s own private sanctuary, special care has been taken to design a master bedroom of uncompromising quality. Beautifully soft underfoot, plush wool carpets have been combined with gently flowing drapery to evoke a warm and calming atmosphere. Equipped with charming bespoke details including custom dressers to select residences, this thoughtfully curated space leaves no stone unturned. 

Elegantly composed by Eckersley Gardens, Mansard’s landscaping works harmoniously with the architecture to provide an invigorating outdoor lifestyle and an enhanced sense of natural beauty. Embracing classic and generous plant species that complement not only the building, but the wider landscape character of Kooyong, these vibrant outdoor spaces offer endless opportunities to entertain, connect and unwind. 

Echoing tranquillity and ease, Mansard’s expansive gardens create enduring connections to the natural landscape – both in and outside the home. From lush garden beds and established trees to cascading vegetation and climbing vines, the plant palette works to soften the architecture while creating the sense of being totally immersed in nature. The ground-floor apartments have been afforded with tranquil ponds and water features – providing privacy and ambience – while upper-level apartments showcase magnificent above-ground swimming pools. 

BonYan Founding Partner & CEO Eddie Fares said Mansard is an idyllic offering that has not yet been explored within Kooyong. 

“Mansard’s design is driven by the idea of tranquillity and executed to precision to ensure the idea of sanctuary both inside and out, which is incredibly rare to find in apartment living. 

“Mansard is an expression of quiet elegance and solid built form. The design, consulting and engineering teams were given the task of creating thoughtful details and living flow to elevate the owner’s daily experience. 

“Every project by BonYan defines new and living trends – things people aspire to feel in their gut and that is truly important to them – we have captured this in the pioneering design that is Mansard,” he said. 

A true jewel in Kooyong’s crown, the architecturally distinct project is the eleventh in BonYan’s portfolio and is now available to move in, although very limited residences remain. 

Mansard is priced from $1.6million to $6.1million – to find out more about this unprecedented opportunity, please visit: https://mansardkooyong.com.au/.