Novus: Luxury Family Living Amongst Raw Elegance

A fresh, architecturally designed home has emerged among Auchenflower's leafy streets in Brisbane’s inner west. Developed by Sunstone Property Group, Novus explores the beauty of material contrast over bold colour. 

Off-form concrete, dark porcelain Caesarstone, spotted gum ceilings, and brushed gunmetal tapware come together to create a moody, tactile richness throughout the home.

With its Latin name meaning ‘new beginning,’ Novus marks the debut project from the Sunstone team, redefining luxury family living with a strong focus on sustainable, enduring design. Operations Director Franco Steyn shares, “Novus is a deeply detailed home designed around the rhythm of busy family life.”

Guided by a Mediterranean-inspired vision tailored to the Australian climate, the north-facing, five-bedroom, five-bathroom home embraces a seamless connection between indoors and out. 

Architect Arno Oosthuizen has thoughtfully integrated large glazing, internal gardens, a central courtyard, and richly textured raw materials for an earthy, grounded aesthetic. 

Spanning three levels, Novus stands as a bold expression of sustainable design infused with a sense of luxury. “We really take care in the design process to make it functional and practical and really cater for families in that high-end luxury space,” says Franco. 

From the street, the exterior strikes a refined balance between hard and soft materials. Its form nods to brutalist architecture, where off-form concrete walls and floating planters are softened by linear timber cladding. “We used concrete and timber to symbolise the pure beauty of raw, natural products,” explains Sunstone Property Group Construction Lead Phil Nearhos.

The home is designed to stand the test of time, built with materials chosen not only for their beauty but also for their enduring quality. “When we take on a project, we want to deliver a home that’s timeless — something people can enjoy for 10 years or more,” explains Franco.

Entering the home, a melody of warm timber tones and bold black details creates a sense of depth and contrast. A concrete wall mirrors a sleek timber staircase, while a double-height void overhead introduces openness and grandeur from the very first impression.

At the heart of the home lies an expansive living area that perfectly captures the balance between boldness and calm, seamlessly connecting each space to the home’s core. “Even though it’s such a large house, the void, courtyard, and interconnected spaces make it feel intimate,” Franco says.

A suspended, seven-metre off-form concrete wall continues through the centre of the home from the entrance through to the living area, softened by spotted gum ceilings and oak flooring. Franco shares, “Not only is the wall aesthetically pleasing, but it has a lot of other benefits, like its thermal mass, which keeps the house warm in the winter and cool in the summer.” A dual-sided wood-burning fireplace serves as a focal point, linking the dining area to the adjoining living space.

Chunky timber-framed glass sliders dissolve the threshold between interior and exterior, allowing natural light, airflow, and garden views to enhance the home. “I think a favourite feature in the home is the floating ceiling; we’ve got timber that runs from inside to out seamlessly through the glass,” states Franco. The central courtyard features an outdoor entertaining area complete with a kitchen, a BeefEater barbecue, and a resort-style mineral pool overlooking the city skyline.

Thoughtfully designed for both everyday living and entertaining, the space embodies Sunstone’s vision of a tactile sanctuary — strong in form, yet intricate in feel. “Novus is designed around entertainment and bringing family and friends together,” shares Phil.

“Working with Arno on the design, we really wanted to use these natural timbers and quality products,” explains Franco. 

Every detail of the living and dining is connected through colour and shape, from the tones of the artwork to the pendant lighting, tapware, and rangehood.

“As you come into the kitchen, you’re greeted with four-metre ceilings, and you’ve got this dark porcelain stone that really makes a feature in the house. When we were designing it, we were intentionally wanting to make a dark theme, but seeing it in real life, it really brings out a lot of colour,” says Franco.

Franco explains, “Choosing a prominent colour like brushed gunmetal was important to get right with all the other tones and finishes — and that’s something we’ve achieved.” 

The sleek, contemporary finish of our Elysian Commercial Pull-Out Kitchen Mixer elevates the tones of the black walnut joinery and Caesarstone porcelain benchtop, enriching the kitchen's moody ambience.

One of Franco’s favourite spaces is the kids' bathroom, artfully positioned against the same concrete wall that defines the entryway. An overhead skylight illuminates the space, accentuating the natural texture and tone of the concrete. “The skylight runs down into the concrete wall and really brings those elements into display,” says Franco. This is layered with a tonal palette of mosaic tiles, a dark timber vanity, brushed gunmetal accessories, and our Labello Thin Edge Round Basin.

On the upper level, overlooking the courtyard, a more secluded living area unfolds, complete with a study nook and city views. This floor comfortably accommodates three bedrooms and a master suite, a testament to the home’s expansive yet refined design. Throughout, concrete detailing continues to feature in hallways and bedrooms, uniting the spaces through its rugged texture.

Fitted with a master suite on both levels, Novus is purpose-built with zones of connection and retreat. The upper-level master is the perfect balance of liveability and luxury, framed by views out to the leafy Auchenflower streets, as well as a private balcony, walk-in wardrobe, double shower, and a freestanding bath with garden views.

Thoughtfully appointed with functional fixtures, rain showers, a wine cellar, a gym, and a five-car garage featuring a turntable, Novus balances grandeur with a grounded sensibility. Designed around connection, craftsmanship, and crisp contemporary finishes, the home exudes a refined character perfectly suited to family living and entertaining. 

“Working closely with the architects and interior designer in the process, the market really asked for 4+ car garages, and with Brisbane's character overlay, that can be quite challenging,” Franco shares.

Franco explains that the choice of ABI fixtures was a natural one: “Choosing to work with ABI was an easy decision. We’ve used them for numerous projects, and having them local with great customer service makes all the difference.”

Reflecting on the project, the team is grateful for the time taken to create a home of quality and precision. “Now that Novus is complete, we’re not only relieved but proud of what we’ve built and the high standard we’ve achieved,” says Franco.

As their debut project, the team endeavours to continue with this style of home due to the demand for high-end family living in the Brisbane area: “Novus represents the beginning — and the standard we want to carry forward.”

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