Dunvegan House Case Study: Modern Custom Home Design in Carindale

Project Overview

Located in the highly sought-after suburb of Carindale, this project represents the pinnacle of modern custom home design. The clients' brief called for a sophisticated, highly functional family residence that prioritised clean lines and a strong connection to the outdoors. To bring this vision to life, Invilla worked in close collaboration with Mati Constructions, ensuring the architectural intent was flawlessly executed from the first sketch to the final handover.

“They weren’t prepared to compromise or add additional rooms and features just because of future resale,” says Michael Johnston, senior architect and director at Invilla Architecture. “This time around, they made it all about them.”

The Design Process: Maximising Light and Space

A successful modern home relies heavily on its spatial flow and orientation. During the design process, our primary focus was capturing the ideal north-easterly aspect to flood the interiors with natural light. Rather than relying on excessive square meterage, we focused on smart, efficient design principles. By strategically placing expansive glazing and architectural voids, we ensured the home feels incredibly spacious and breathable, perfectly suited to the Queensland climate.

“They wanted to keep the block as flat as possible without altering the existing land too much to avoid retaining walls or ponding of water,” Michael explains. The driveway also needed to be as flat as possible to double as a sports area.”

A dual-level home was proposed, large enough to suit the family’s every need, but cleverly designed to take advantage of the block’s little quirks.

Drawing inspiration from the sleekly modern Brentwood Park II, a Hollywood Hills home by California’s MLK STUDIO, the home would be a celebration of clean lines and warm neutrals. Think golden timber flooring, fresh whites, black accents, and soft brass finishes.

“We wanted the home to feel as light as possible, while maintaining warmth and a clean and modern space,” says Michael. “Our teams worked closely together, creating a beautiful palette that makes sense from the front exterior through to the backyard, without overcomplicating it.”

Our Approach: A Refined, Minimalist Aesthetic

To achieve the clients' desired minimalist aesthetic, our architectural approach required intense attention to detail and a restrained material palette. Understated with its stone benchtops and brass finishes, the kitchen is softened into an inviting hub with an archway leading into an extensive butler’s pantry. That arch detail acts as a gentle motif throughout the home, coaxing you to meander through each space.

“Our main priorities were modern, light, and well-functioning,” says Michael. “Everything works so well in terms of usability and function."

Key design elements include:

• Textural Restraint: A cohesive palette of crisp whites, warm timbers, and subtle stone accents.

• Bespoke Joinery: "We consider cabinetry to be one of the most important aspects of any home, and Danny from Cabinet Collective always goes above and beyond," notes Michael. This custom cabinetry integrates seamlessly into the architecture.

• Fluid Transitions: Floor-to-ceiling glass that dissolves the barrier between the indoor living zones and the alfresco area.

Key Design Results

1. A Light-Filled Living Sanctuary

The focus on natural light was deeply intentional, with each room placed in consideration of how sunbeams would dance through the space. Sunlight filters effortlessly through the downstairs living areas, which include the open-plan layout alongside an additional bedroom, bathroom, and media room. Even the bespoke front door was custom-made specifically to enhance this airy, illuminated atmosphere.

2. Indoor-Outdoor Connection

The kitchen and dining spaces are designed to act as the social heart of the home. Floor-to-ceiling glass serves to frame the lush backyard, allowing parents to easily supervise children playing outside while preparing meals, and ensuring a flawless transition when entertaining.

3. Resort-Style Outdoor Entertaining

The great outdoors were always intended to take a starring role here. Invilla and Mati Constructions turned to another favourite partner, Elizabeth Weyer Outdoor Design, to create a summer-ready paradise.

To achieve spaces that work equally well for adults and children, the backyard features a swimming pool, a modern fire pit, and alfresco entertaining areas framed by olive and lemon trees for a dash of Mediterranean magic. A custom outdoor shower offers privacy from neighbours while acting as a striking design feature in its own right, leaving plenty of room on the lawn for kids to just be kids.

Conclusion

The Dunvegan project showcases what is possible when modern architectural design meets flawless execution. We are incredibly proud of this Carindale custom home.

• Read the feature article about this home in Queensland Homes Magazine.

• View the full gallery on the Dunvegan Project Page.

• See more modern architecture in our Case Studies.

Planning your own custom home design in Carindale or Brisbane? Book a consultation with Invilla today.