Sticky Rice: a haven in the Hills
Sticky Rice villas in Stirling merge Eastern philosophical ideals with modern creature comforts.
John Adam, the architect behind the award-winning building design, says he wanted to create a bed and breakfast that complemented the Asian cooking school of the same name with which it is associated.
Adam wanted the building to have a resort feel and for guests to feel transported to another world. The result is three separately themed villas: Japanese Yoko, Balinese Karma, and Modern Asian Zen.
Sticky Rice Bed and Breakfast. Photo: John Adam
“It’s open, it’s light and filled with the flavours of those cultures,” he says.
You might like
“You feel like you’re in a haven in Japan or a haven in Bali for the time you’re there.”
Polished concrete and timber are used throughout, and different features in each of the villas evoke the cultures that have inspired them.
The Japanese Yoko villa makes extensive use of natural timber and incorporates a garden pavilion which appears to await a tea ceremony. In the Modern Asian Zen villa, muted tones of grey, black and white create a peaceful, introspective environment for guests, while the Balinese Karma hut features bolder, brighter reds and ochres along with antiqued timbers.
Hidden in the Adelaide Hills, the overall result is a kind of modern oasis, reminiscent of the tranquillity of the Balinese mountain village Ubud. It is a merging of Eastern and Western architecture principles, through both the décor as well as the buildings’ exterior.
Stay informed, daily
Sticky Rice Bed and Breakfast. Photo: John Adam
Adam was inspired by aspects of Japanese design, which show in the clean lines, tall walls and floor-to-ceiling glass. The north-facing villas capture the sun, with cross-ventilation from the light breeze that blows through the nearby hills.
The architect has ensured every square centimetre is cleverly utilised, and says he is proud that the space seems twice as big as it really is.
“We created 45-degree angles into the corners to open up the property.
“To give it a longer perspective, we used long mirrors opposite long windows to reflect the outside on the inside. The mirrors also blur the lines between indoors and outdoors.”
“By being very careful about how space is used, the result is very relaxed and open.”
The property is also designed with sustainability in mind, with features such as double-glazed windows, hot-water-heated floors and a heavily insulated roof.
The winner of the 2013 InDaily DESIGN AILA Peoples Choice Award is Amanda Balmer. She has chosen to donate her prize to the Suneden Special School.
