Contemporary coastal calm
Calm is the ultimate luxury in this coastal townhouse.
With a facade that hints at California modern, timber-rich interiors reminiscent of Japandi, and light-filled spaces that speak to Australian coastal, it’s difficult to pin down one defining influence behind this luxury beachside home.
Created by SV Built, this townhouse represents the pinnacle of a signature aesthetic the western suburbs builder has developed over the past decade, blending resort living with warm, coastal charm.
For SV Built director Emile Ellens, it’s the level of detail and craftsmanship of this project that is most pleasing.
“What’s most noteworthy about this home is the level of materials and finishes. Everything in this home is high end – we spent great time and effort getting the details to this level,” Emile says.
This sophistication was recognised when the home was awarded the 2025 HIA South Australia Townhouse of the Year. Judges were impressed by the blend of resort-style luxury and family living, indoor-outdoor flow and refined alfresco entertaining spaces.
SV Built won the same award several years ago for townhouses built at a neighbouring address.
“It is interesting to see the evolution side-by-side,” Emile says. “Those were really great homes too, but the new ones show the evolution over the past few years.”
Since completing this home, SV Built has achieved the rigorous Passivhaus certification, a high-level construction standard that values holistic design principles.
“There are only a handful of certified Passivhaus builders in South Australia, and it’s something I’m really passionate about,” Emile says.
“It prioritises better ways of building a healthy home for the people living in it.”
It’s with these guiding principles that SV Built completed this home in the beachside suburb of Grange. Overlooking a reserve and creek, the home’s natural materials of timber and stone tie it to its environment.
Its street appeal carries a taste of Palm Springs with a mature Canary Island date palm, curved micro-cement columns and angular timber soffits that shade expansive windows.
SV Built interior designer Mandy Artini says the interior palette was inspired by natural elements of sand, sea, timber and stone. “We very much wanted the house to have a coastal resort feel,” Mandy says.
“Together with the amount of natural light we were able to capture, we created a foundation of calm with splashes of luxury.”
The facade’s exterior windows allow glimpses into the soaring entry void where a floating oak staircase transitions the timber theme into the home.
A laser-cut bamboo pendant light crafted by New Zealand designer David Trubridge achieves a warm sense of grandeur and sets the luxury coastal tone.
Here on the ground floor, the hallway leads to the open-plan kitchen, living and dining area.
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The kitchen island is the focal point of this space, providing functionality for both family living and entertaining. The mineral coolness of the stone benchtop is tempered by the organic warmth of the reeded timber joinery.
Mandy explains: “The reeded base adds a touch of luxury and is another opportunity to create a softness following through on the theme of curves. The natural stone benches and splashbacks draw your eye and demand your touch.”
The sophisticated natural stone extends across the lengthy splashback to a bifold servery that accesses the outdoor kitchen and alfresco dining space.
The timber cabinetry throughout the home was created by Gawler Custom Specialist Joinery, accentuated with LED lighting that adds ambience both day
and night.
A decorative cornice adds a refined finish to the rooms. “Even in a home like this, you can still use a modern‑looking cornice that looks quite grand,” Emile says.
The home’s floorplan is designed for multiple users, with the master bedroom located on the ground floor to allow ease of access. This luxurious master suite includes a generous walk-in robe and direct access to a secluded courtyard with tropical plantings.
A second upstairs living area with a study and kitchenette provides an element of separation between multiple generations, or visitors, under the same roof.
“When designing a home such as this, you’ve got to think about who might be purchasing the home and what they might want out of it,” Emile says.
Since founding SV Built 10 years ago, Emile has noticed a renewed interest in swimming pools. “Swimming pools weren’t always sought after, but they are now seen as a statement piece in modern homes – a feature,” Emile says.
“People are health conscious these days and are seeking pools and saunas as key considerations in a luxury home.”
Anchoring the rear of the property is a resort-style cabana which mirrors the architectural language established by the facade. Victorian oak hardwood cladding and a curved soffit are surrounded by clusters of golden cane palms, completing the luxury resort feel.
At dusk, with the pool house warmly lit against a fading sky, the backyard has the relaxed quality of a private resort – a sense of calm that, in the constant scroll of modern life, could be considered the greatest luxury of all.
This article first appeared in the 2026 SALIFE Premium Property magazine.
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