Known for their bold materiality and sculptural minimalism, luxury home Architects Johnstone & Johnson are no strangers to high end residential design. In one of Canberra’s most prestigious suburbs, the Bentham Street House is a study in contemporary minimalism, designed for a family that wanted their home to balance refined architecture with the practicalities of everyday life.
At 550 square metres and with a build value of $10 million, it’s a residence conceived on a scale that matches its ambition. From the street, this Canberra custom home is defined by strong lines and bold materiality. Off-form concrete is the hero material here, its raw presence softened by the dark sheen of Shou Sugi Ban cladding and the warmth of vertical timber battens. Stone detailing and travertine surfaces complete a palette that feels grounded yet luxurious, with a timeless sense of permanence.
Inside, the planning is centred on family connection and entertainment. The open plan living, dining, and kitchen area flows directly to a generous terrace, complete with an outdoor BBQ zone and a sunken swimming pool that frames views across to the new Yarralumla Brickworks precinct. Designed as a social hub, it’s an environment that encourages entertaining, whether for quiet family dinners or large scale celebrations.
The clients’ brief called for spaces that could separate adult and children’s activities, and this is resolved with a second swimming pool. The dual pools allow the family to entertain at different scales without compromise, with landscaped native gardens weaving a sense of calm and natural beauty around each outdoor zone.
Luxury in this home also extends below ground. A basement level has been engineered to accommodate a four car garage with a rotating car turntable, alongside a temperature controlled wine cellar and a private gym. This subterranean retreat underscores the precision in planning, maximising the site to its fullest potential.
Upstairs delivers six bedrooms and five bathrooms, each detailed with limestone tiles and custom joinery. The parents’ bedroom offers a heightened sense of indulgence, with an oversized ensuite featuring a circular freestanding bath and a walk-in robe complete with bench seating. Movement between levels by a striking staircase that appears to hang from the ceiling, its steel rods and timber battens creating a sculptural feature in its own right.
Every element of Bentham Street House reflects the careful balance between minimalism and material richness. By combining concrete, charred timber, and stone with expanses of glass and light, luxury home Architects ACT- Johnstone ad Johnson have achieved a home that feels simultaneously robust and refined. More than just a residence, it’s a modern family estate shaped around lifestyle, longevity, and a deep appreciation for contemporary design.
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See more projects by ACT luxury home architects Johnstone & Johnson.
