- Hannah Tattersall
Better by Design
Sustainability and timeless design were top of mind when award-winning architect Shaun Lockyer chose appliances for his new home. He looked no further than Miele. By Hannah Tattersall.
In 2021, award-winning architect Shaun Lockyer purchased Cottonwood, a house in the Elysium Noosa estate in Noosa Heads. “It’s been designed by Richard Kirk, one of my favourite architects, and it’s a house that really exemplifies the best of sub-tropical design,” says the SLa founder.
Lockyer wanted to breathe new personality into his “home away from home”, while at the same time respecting the design’s integrity.
“When it comes to design, everything that we do is about producing a sustainable and enduring architecture,” he explains.
“Sustainability is a massive agenda in our work, and one of the most sustainable ways we can do things is to do them in such a high quality and resilient way that they last a lifetime.”
So when it came to choosing appliances for his new home, Lockyer knew he had found his match in Miele.
“For us, Miele demonstrates that better than anybody. Their approach to timeless design in their 125 years of evolution and history really mean that we can use those products in such a way that they become better with age,” he says. “The fact that the actual equipment itself is tested for a 20-year life cycle — ultimately that’s one of the best forms of sustainability we can have.”
Since 1899, the German luxury brand has meticulously crafted appliances that represent precision, durability and elegance. As Miele celebrates its 125th Anniversary in 2024, the family-owned company’s commitment to architecture, sustainability and timeless design remains just as strong. These values, as well as Miele’s dedication to quality, detail and collaboration over its long history, is one reason it has become the brand of choice for architects.
What drew Lockyer to a career in architecture was the problem solving and complexity it brought to his life — as well as the engagement and collaboration with others. “No two projects are ever the same and every new project is an opportunity for learning, growth and creativity,” he explains.
“One of the areas of our work that has become well known is our engagement with the landscape and its incorporation into our architecture, the focus being creating memorable homes that elevate the experience of everyday living.”
With that, of course, comes appliances that make everyday life easier and simply better.
Opting for a “top to bottom Miele” approach, Lockyer’s stunning abode in Noosa is filled with Miele appliances, including the DGM 7440 steam oven with microwave, ESW 7010 14cm high gourmet warming drawer and KM 7594-2 FL induction cooktop in the kitchen, which he refers to as the home’s “centre of gravity”.
“When it comes to kitchens, I think it’s safe to say that it’s always the heart of the house … [It’s] where everything happens, so you’ve really got to get it right,” he says.
Lockyer believes smart design is about futureproofing your house with appliances that are sustainable and can endure the test of time. “Companies like Miele, there’s a hell of a lot of built-in smarts in their appliances that just make the utility of them easier,” he says.
“For me, something that is invisible and makes your life more comfortable is what’s ultimately the smartest thing you can have. I think, particularly when we think about sustainability, they’ve demonstrated they will outlast almost anything.”
One of Lockyer’s favourite stories about Miele has to do with laundry appliances. “My mother bought a washing machine and tumble dryer that lasted longer than her marriage, so I think it’s a great testament to the quality of the product,” he says with a laugh. It’s an anecdote that ties in nicely with Miele’s legacy of sophisticated design and sustainable products.
“Miele has always been an obvious choice,” says Lockyer. “It’s always been something that we’ve loved working with. It’s about understated elegance, it’s about sustainability and it’s about equipment that sits beautifully in the background of the architecture and complements it.
“Ultimately, what we want to do is find beautiful ways to connect people to place, to connect with the world around us, with the landscape, with the environment — and do it in such a way that it is not only sustainable, but beautiful for people to enjoy in the future, too.”
To learn more about Miele Projects, head to www.mieleexperience.com.au/projects
Architecture by Richard Kirk. hard landscaping, joinery alterations and interior decor by Shaun Lockyer. Landscaping by Green Care Project.
This is an extract from an article that appears in print in our eleventh edition, Page 100 of Winning Magazine with the headline: “Better by Design”. Subscribe to Winning Magazine today.
