A hidden oasis: A forest bathroom on the ground floor located under the bedroom
No.424 Strickland Ave, South Hobart. Photo: Provided
Maison de Panissou doesn’t just stay in its place, it expands it.
It’s architecture as immersion, luxury as communication.
This is a home that respects the forest in which it lives, creating spaces where residents can enjoy the wilderness up close while being protected from the weather by the finest materials and art.
The brief was to create a private family sanctuary within a 3983sq m forest parcel.
Completed in late 2023, this four-bedroom property represents the unflinching vision of Chris Gilbert – founder of Archier, a world-renowned architectural firm – award-winning architect Merlin Constructions and the property’s owners. Together, they have pushed the envelope of modern design.
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No.424 Strickland Ave, South Hobart.
No.424 Strickland Ave, South Hobart.
No.424 Strickland Ave, South Hobart.
The owner, who spent his childhood riding trails in the area, described Panissou’s condition and features as “amazing”.
“It’s amazing when you get sunlight through trees or snow in the winter,” he said.
“A site like this can only be found in Tassie, five minutes from the city but you feel like you’re hours away.”
In the first stages of the design, the owner – the manager of a technology company – collected points of reference and inspiration for the home: a lot of glazing, a different line of the roof, privacy, increasing the light, the outdoor experience of the bathroom, and the sharp eaves of the spoke.
“And we were looking for a place where the garden could grow in the house,” he said.
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Privately tucked away from the road, this is a home that feels at one with its natural surroundings.
Panissou is enclosed within wooden-framed windows from Candor, the home seems to float within the forest floor. This stunning feat captures plenty of northern light and warmth, while framing the lush green space with floor-to-ceiling glass that dissolves the boundary between indoors and outdoors.
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No.424 Strickland Ave, South Hobart.
No.424 Strickland Ave, South Hobart.
The open-plan living area showcases raw copper and natural stone surfaces sourced directly from the Netherlands and Southern Italy. These European elements create a luxurious counterpoint to the clear Tasmanian landscape – a cosmopolitan sensibility rooted in the wilderness.
The living space flows through the sunken kitchen, a stunning area wrapped in Italian Signorino terrazzo and the Navurban Ravenswood area, equipped with ultra-premium appliances from Liebherr, AEG, and Asko.
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Opening onto a stunning alfresco dining area, the kitchen and outdoor areas come together to create the perfect dining experience, while equally serving as a private retreat for the home’s special chef. Above, two mezzanine areas set behind natural wood screens, offer unique vantage points over the extended family spaces below.
No.424 Strickland Ave, South Hobart.
No.424 Strickland Ave, South Hobart.
The master bedroom suite is stunning. Moving away from the traditional design, the ensuite hangs below the master bedroom.
Descending the private internal staircase, residents will find bold Perini natural stone tiling and exclusive Navurban and Blum joinery that enhance the feeling of being immersed within the forest.
The view from the ensuite is centered on the 70m eucalyptus. An outdoor bathtub, hand-spread with concrete, is set on the ensuite balcony, which is accessed via a full-length sliding glass wall. One of the many moments where Panissou blurs the distinction between residence and exposure, indoors and outdoors.
Four spacious, soundproofed bedrooms occupy the main floor, two with walk-in wardrobes.
No.424 Strickland Ave, South Hobart.
No.424 Strickland Ave, South Hobart.
Burnt concrete underfoot, providing thermal mass and visual continuity, heated by a hydronic system designed individually by Stiebel Eltron from Germany.
Beyond the glass perimeter, extensive timber-dotted decking extends the outdoor living areas, connecting to an 11m tiled heated swimming pool and outdoor shower, beautifully framed by the forest that rises above and falls below.
The pool’s heating and filtration system can be controlled remotely, increasing the convenience of mobile-friendly management for owners.
Abundant landscaping was well laid out to enhance the home for years to come.
No.424 Strickland Ave, South Hobart.
No.424 Strickland Ave, South Hobart.
An elaborate LED garden lighting system transforms the grounds after dark, revealing layer upon layer of botanical intrigue.
The sophistication of the technology matches the ambition of the architecture: a state-of-the-art 4K video and audio-enabled camera system provides complete security, while three-phase power ensures efficient EV charging.
The high-level data network is specifically designed to increase remote operation and communication for senior citizens seeking refuge without disconnection.
Wolf Property Director, Cam Rogers said Panissou feels like a five-star resort.
“In the first few days on the market we’ve had inquiries interstate, mainly from Queensland, Melbourne, and the eastern suburbs and northern beaches of Sydney,” he said.
“Young, educated, high-income local people have also shown interest in this area.
“It’s a unique home. The buyer is likely to be active and connected to nature; it’s the type of home that will attract those types of buyers.”
No.424 Strickland Ave, South Hobart, has been listed for sale with Wolf Property for $3.7m.
