Through its distinct rammed earth form, an inner-city Melbourne home mediates a considered balance between presence and privacy, cultivating nurturing moments within. Located on a north-facing corner allotment, St Kilda Residence by ADDARC sits easily at the juncture of a primary road and a quiet cul-de-sac — a home designed for a peaceful lifestyle for two, often punctuated joyfully by playful grandchildren, long Friday dinners, and a steady flow of classical music.

Working closely with the homeowners who had lived in the adjoining property for more than forty years, the ADDARC design team sought to create a home that would comfortably allow for ‘ageing in place’ — a space of enduring comfort and considered beauty, designed to grow with its occupants.

Imbued with the warmth of materials and light, the home is organised around a series of enclosed courtyards that each offer aspect and integral amenity. Robust materials are incorporated throughout, but the hero and focal element is undeniably rammed earth — chosen for both its thermal performance and its striking, stratified aesthetic.

“Rammed earth is one of the most beautiful building materials; we refer to it as being perfectly imperfect,” ADDARC director Rohan Appel shares. “Once you embrace the imperfections, you begin to appreciate them and the material’s natural beauty.” The warm, sandy tones of the rammed earth are echoed throughout the landscape design by Vogue Grange, where stepping stones, a concrete bench, and lush plantings create a series of intimate outdoor rooms.

The ev93D is typically lowered closed (vertically at 0 degrees) and raised in the horizontal (90 degrees open) position. Stable, secure and refined operation is also guaranteed by the Zamac side pins which are mechanically riveted to the slats and engage in our range of extruded aluminium side guides. Each side channel has a patented keder insert to reduce any associated noise and friction. Similar to the ev80, the lifting system relies on a UV stable Texband tape which passes through Precision machined, punched and drawn holes along the length of the slats.

A defining feature of the architecture is its dynamic response to the environment. The integration of high-performance Evaya ev80 external venetian blinds within the deep rammed earth reveals allows the facade to actively moderate sunlight, heat, and privacy. When lowered, the blinds present a continuous horizontal texture that complements the stratification of the rammed earth. When tilted or raised, they dissolve the boundary between the refined interiors and the verdant courtyards beyond.

The ev80’s 80mm rolled-edge C-shaped aluminium slats offer 160° of rotation and full vertical travel — allowing the home to shift between complete transparency and total enclosure with effortless precision. Their warm bronze finish tonally harmonises with the rammed earth, ensuring the product reads as an integral part of the architecture rather than an addition.