BLUM x The Local Project Design Awards
Materiality & Detail Category Finalist — Equinox House
Equinox House was named a finalist in the Materiality & Detail category at the 2026 Blum x The Local Project Design Awards.
Equinox House is a considered exploration of materiality and technical resolution, where architecture, landscape and human experience are closely aligned. Set within a world class equestrian property, the home occupies a footprint of significant scale, shaped by a concrete structure and clear axis lines that define space and frame expansive glazing. The design intent was to soften this architectural strength through thoughtful material choices and careful detailing.
Internally, the material palette is a direct extension of the architecture. Bronze, leather, reclaimed hardwoods and heritage textiles introduce warmth and texture, creating a more intimate counterpoint to the structure. Equine inspired materials including saddle leathers, raw Australian timbers, pure New Zealand wools and bespoke textiles woven from repurposed fibres were selected for their durability and tactile quality.
Materiality and detail are most clearly expressed through the joinery. The scale of the cabinetry required a high level of precision to reduce visual breaks while maintaining ease of use. Blum drawer runners and liners were specified throughout all drawers and cabinetry, allowing larger spans and fewer divisions across the joinery grids. Blum Legrabox drawer systems were selected for their strength, load capacity and smooth operation, enabling large format drawers up to 2.5 metres in length to function effortlessly within the architectural framework.
Blum Onyx Black hinges were used to service tall vertical cabinetry up to 2.5 meters high, with hardware visually recessed into the joinery shadow lines. Paired with flat bar handles integrated into the cabinetry grids, function is present while visually understated. The result is joinery that reads as calm and composed, supporting the material language of the home while delivering long term performance aligned with the project’s intent.