Tucked within one of Melbourne’s most sought-after pockets, the Alphington Residence is a celebration of contemporary family living expressed across three thoughtfully crafted levels. Designed by Hartman Construction & Development, the home balances refined architectural detail with an honest material palette, creating spaces that feel warm, grounded, and deeply connected to the daily rhythms of family life. Every line, texture, and junction has been considered—and the lighting design by About Space plays a pivotal role in bringing this vision to life.

From the outset, the brief was clear: create a lighting plan that honours sustainable principles, complements the architectural detailing, and provides functional flexibility for a home that evolves with its occupants. The response is a layered, minimalist solution that favours longevity, energy efficiency, and visual restraint—allowing the architecture to remain the hero while the lighting quietly elevates every moment.

Sustainable Lighting With Purpose

A highlight of the architecture is the extensive use of decorative timber panelling, which softens each space and introduces a crafted warmth throughout the home. Rather than puncture these surfaces with excessive downlights, About Space took a low-impact, sustainability-focused approach.

Surface-mounted fittings were selected across the project to minimise ceiling perforations, preserve material integrity, and reduce construction waste. This decision not only protects the longevity of the timber but also reflects a broader commitment to sustainable building practices—choosing fittings and placements that respect the home’s envelope while still delivering exceptional illumination.

The result is a lighting scheme that feels intentional and gentle, complementing the textures and tones of the interiors without overwhelming them.

Designed for Varying Volumes and Ceiling Heights

With three levels, each with its own ceiling height, spatial function, and ambient requirements, the lighting strategy needed to be adaptable. A considered approach to beam angles, adjustability, and light output was crucial in ensuring consistency and comfort.

Lower ceilings required compact, precise fittings with tighter beam angles to avoid glare and unwanted spill. In contrast, double-height voids and transitional zones benefited from broader washes of light or elongated fittings that draw the eyes upward.

This sensitivity to scale, volume, and use means that each space feels tailored—whether it’s a softly lit hallway, a functional kitchen workspace, or a living area designed for gathering and relaxation.

Key Fittings That Define the Home

To achieve this effortless cohesion, About Space curated a selection of the brand’s most adaptable architectural fittings, chosen for their performance, sustainability credentials, and visual simplicity.

2BY Linear Pendant

Suspended with precision, the 2BY Linear Pendant is the hero of the kitchen—offering clean, uninterrupted light ideal for food preparation, family meals, or evening entertaining. Its slender profile complements the home’s contemporary lines, adding architecture rather than ornamentation. With exceptional glare control and a warm, even spread, it becomes a functional centrepiece without stealing attention from the surrounding materials.

Lunar Ceiling Light

Used throughout circulation spaces and smaller rooms, the Lunar Ceiling Light provides efficient, unobtrusive illumination. Its minimalist, surface-mounted form pairs beautifully with the timber ceilings, offering subtlety and performance in equal measure. Lunar’s soft diffusion ensures that even compact zones feel inviting and well lit, while maintaining a low-impact, low-energy footprint.

Forte Wall Light with Yosh Camilla Glass

Bringing a sculptural quality to the home’s vertical surfaces, the Forte Wall Light paired with Yosh Camilla glass adds moments of elegance and material richness. The organic, hand-formed quality of Yosh glass introduces texture and visual interest—acting almost as a jewelled highlight against the pared-back interior. These pieces serve both functional and decorative roles, guiding movement through hallways and enhancing the home’s evening ambience.

Cannon Ceiling Light

Compact and precise, the Cannon Ceiling Light was selected for spaces that required high performance in a small footprint. With a directional beam and exceptional CRI, Cannon ensures task areas are illuminated accurately without adding visual clutter. Its simple cylindrical geometry echoes the home’s modern aesthetic, reinforcing the project’s emphasis on clean, intentional design.

A Home Illuminated With Sensitivity and Vision

The Alphington Residence is more than a beautiful building—it’s a finely balanced family home where every decision reflects purpose. The collaboration between Hartman Construction & Development and About Space demonstrates how thoughtful lighting can honour architectural vision, support sustainability goals, and enrich everyday living.

By utilising surface-mounted solutions, prioritising beam-angle control, and selecting fittings that complement rather than compete, the lighting becomes a quiet but powerful force within the home. It guides, softens, highlights, and supports—just as good lighting should.

In Alphington, light becomes an integral material, shaping a home that feels as functional as it is refined. The outcome is a calm, cohesive and beautifully resolved environment designed to evolve gracefully with the family who calls it home.