At Home Designing Homes: Luke Seidler On Finding His Calling In Residential Architecture

Seidler Group is a family-owned design and construction practice located in Port Melbourne, Victoria. Originally set up by Chris Seidler in 1992, the studio was defined by his early work in the north-eastern suburbs. And while the business has flourished and expanded ever since, the vision has remained the same: offering reliable turnkey services for families looking for their forever home. Here, Luke Seidler, who formally joined the firm in 2015, talks about his path to becoming the practice’s Head of Design, his passion for residential architecture – and his current focus as an architect.

“I’ve always been interested in design,” Luke starts. “Growing up, I spent a lot of time on construction sites as a labourer to make some extra money, so I was always around building and design.” His initial passion focused on industrial design – cars, yachts and planes. “I was quite drawn to their dynamic forms but I soon realised that there wasn’t much of an industry for that in Australia,” he explains with a smile. “And then, during one of the open days at RMIT, I discovered building design.”

The course offered a more practical approach to architecture, and it was that familiar technical aspect of design he remembered from his time at construction sites as a kid that got him hooked. But the course also fuelled Luke’s passion for architecture as a whole, and straight from university, he did a stint at a Victorian architectural practice, Peddle Thorp, where he further developed his skills working on commercial developments and public spaces.

To build a home

It was around that time that his father, Chris Seidler, gave him an opportunity to get involved with some of the Seidler Group projects. And it was through these initial briefs, completed after hours, on top of his Peddle Thorp work, that Luke found his calling: designing homes for families. “Working on smaller residential projects, developing meaningful client relationships and working in a more intimate setting, I really found my passion,” he recalls. “I finally felt that my work had a true impact on the end user.”

Joining the practice and heading up the design department allowed Luke to bring in some new perspectives, opportunities to incorporate some of the newer technologies, and elevate the studio’s sustainability efforts. At the same time, he was very happy to embrace the ethos the practice was built on in the first place. “The main focus has always been to create dwellings for families looking to invest in their next – and sometimes their final – family home,” he says. “And while it is such a significant undertaking for most people, my father thought there was a real lack of service in the industry, where a firm could offer it all: design the home and then assist in the process of actualising it. That’s how our integrated design and construction offering was born.”

Integrated design and construction

The Seidler team is there from the moment their client acquires the site, all the way to the moment they’re ready to move in, and can look after elements like landscaping, pools and even tennis courts. “Offering the full package means that we have more autonomy in terms of envisaging both the home, and the environment the home exists within,” he says. “For many of our clients it’s also beneficial that they get a view of the budget for the project right from the get-to. What we see quite often in our industry is a ballpark budget, initially put together by an architect, going up significantly once they tender to builders.”

Seidler Group mitigates that by managing the budget from the start. “We feel that, particularly with family homes, being conscious of the client’s finances is incredibly important. Often, people spend their life’s savings on their homes, and as a design and construction firm we’re incredibly cognisant of that.”

It’s pretty clear that the Seidler Group is doing something right. Luke says that there are quite a few instances where they have designed and built homes for whole generations of families. “We get to know our clients, and we really enjoy that aspect of our work. Especially when at the very end of the project you get to see the clients and their families experience their new environment home for the first time. That’s what gives us the ultimate passion for what we do.”

Looking at some of Seidler Group’s recent projects, it’s easy to imagine why their clients would be happy walking into their new homes, and the Split Home in Brighton, Victoria – designed by Luke a couple of years ago – is an excellent example.

The Split Home

“The brief for this project was quite open, which was fantastic because it gave me space to explore my architectural aspirations,” Luke says. “From a functional point of view, our clients wanted a home that allowed seamless entertainment. It was key for multiple areas to be easily connected or separated when necessary to make sure the space would respond to the evolving needs of the occupants – and Melbourne’s changing weather conditions throughout the year.”

“From an aesthetics point of view, our clients wanted a dwelling that went against the predominant architectural language of the area,” he adds. “And so we set out to create an entertainer’s dream that would feel like an escape from suburbia.”

Expressed through a beautifully curated amalgamation of varying volumes, geometries and textures, the home is defined by a grounding yet dynamic quality. Designed to embrace the context of its Bayside Brighton’s locale, the dwelling reveals a clear connection to its coastal surroundings through material selection and overall aesthetic. And in order to prioritise energy efficiency, the home has been orientated in a way that harnesses the south-westerly breezes and maximises natural light as well as access to shade.

A stunning result of these considerations is the striking, geometrical mass of the first floor, stacked at an unexpected angle over the lower level of the property. The configuration, which sees the primary bedroom oriented directly towards the North, enables the space to benefit from ample access to natural light, and ensure that the pool directly underneath, gets plenty of sunlight, too.

The home celebrates coastal materiality by incorporating some reclaimed timber, imposed onto concrete precast walls, which provided an opportunity to bring in a tactile connection to the coastline, and make the structure a bit more efficient. But perhaps nothing connects the home to its geographical context more than the exterior facade, which radiates the sense of coastal respite out to the public realm. “The rippled aluminium facade has been designed to gently conceal the primary sleeping quarters,” Luke says. “The texture was inspired by the south-westerly breezes and the organic ripple shapes they create on the sand. We then superimposed a cracking wave that was perforated onto the screen – again, it’s play on the coastal breezes imprinting themselves onto the architecture of the home.”

Backlit at night, and visible at all hours of day and night, the facade has an immense sense of presence, and most certainly escapes the quintessential suburban architecture of the area. “It makes it feel like you’ve arrived at an oasis,” Luke sums up.

The potential of the concealed

Luke’s commitment to his architectural vision, and sharp focus on materiality that celebrates the home’s coastal setting, was also apparent in the attention to detail with which he approached the more functional aspects of the home, such as drains. “We used Stormtech’s tile insert strip drains in all the bathrooms,” he says. “We found that they were really successful at seamlessly incorporating a drainage grate into the shower base. The product is very minimalist and efficient, and using it helped us achieve a beautiful aesthetic in these spaces.”

Luke adds that Stormtech’s products were also incorporated on the ground floor. “Stormtech’s tile insert drains were used between the sliding doors that separate the indoor and the outdoor living spaces,” he explains. An undeniable entertainer’s dream, the area embodies this notion of effortless, all-year-round indoor-outdoor living, by seamlessly connecting both realms. That’s what Luke appreciates about Stormtech products – the ability to achieve an effortless transition and clean design language. “It’s a really nice product,” he says. “We’ve definitely used their tile insert strip drains on quite a few residential projects.”

Always refining the process

This impeccable attention to detail, as well as the broader approach to the Split House project, certainly reveal a lot about Luke as an architect. “I’m always looking to refine the process of creating a home,” he shares. “When I think of a successful project, it has to be an efficient home – which isn’t always easy for a family dwelling. A family home has to feel universally accessible, but also respond to a client’s specific needs. It’s a challenging but incredibly rewarding aspect of residential architecture.”

Exploring new materials and products – for Luke – goes hand in hand with his pursuit to create efficient family homes, whether that means minimising waste in construction or making a space more sustainable. One of the current residential projects he’s working on is an excellent example of this ambition. “We’ve tried to incorporate quite a few new technologies,” he enthuses. “For example, when it comes to heating and cooling, we’ve incorporated a geothermal system. That’s a first for an urban context.”

Ultimately, Luke sums up, a successful project is one that can benefit all. “That means considering the current state of our climate, the diminishing resources, and the impact of the construction resources,” he explains. “And it means giving back to our clients, as well as the public realm.”