Argall

Tapestry House, Toorak

Argall, in collaboration with Cera Stribley Architects, presents Tapestry House in Toorak—a sophisticated blend of form and function that honors family heritage. This project brings together modernist linear forms with raw materials like brick and concrete, establishing a structure that is both artistic and enduring. Thoughtfully designed open spaces and clean lines provide the perfect backdrop for the family’s art, objects, and furniture, transforming the home into a curated gallery of personal history. Every detail reflects a dedication to understated elegance and timeless design.
Tapestry House is built on a solid piled basement foundation, providing stability from the ground up. The design uses post-tensioned slabs for enhanced strength across open areas, with steel framing adding structural flexibility. Vertical construction is a blend of masonry, reinforced concrete, and steel, carefully integrated to achieve both resilience and refined architectural detail.

Architect:

Year:

Construction Budget:

Challenges:

Cera Stribley
2023-2025
$12.5M
A key challenge in the construction of Tapestry House was the staged process, where the basement was being built before the design for the remaining structure was completed. The project also featured a mixed stability system, combining reinforced concrete and masonry shear walls with steel-braced frames. This presented difficulties in managing differential movement between the materials. Careful planning and coordination were required to ensure the building’s stability and structural integrity throughout the construction process.

Architect:

Cera Stribley

Year:

2023-2025

Construction Budget:

$12.5M

Challenges:

A key challenge in the construction of Tapestry House was the staged process, where the basement was being built before the design for the remaining structure was completed. The project also featured a mixed stability system, combining reinforced concrete and masonry shear walls with steel-braced frames. This presented difficulties in managing differential movement between the materials. Careful planning and coordination were required to ensure the building’s stability and structural integrity throughout the construction process.

LIAM OMAR, PROJECT engineer

Liam is an accomplished Structural Engineer with diverse experience across a wide range of projects throughout Australia. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil & Infrastructure Engineering with Honors from RMIT and brings over 6 years of combined undergraduate and postgraduate experience to his profession.

He is highly skilled in structural and civil engineering design, client communication, and providing construction stage services. His expertise extends to managing projects within the structural engineering domain, where he ensures compliance with design standards and delivers high-quality, tailored solutions that meet and exceed client expectations.

With a strong passion for efficiency in design, Liam continually seeks opportunities to optimize project outcomes. His commitment to innovation drives him to explore improvements in all facets of a project, from conceptual planning to final execution. An effective communicator and collaborative team member, he excels in building strong relationships with clients and stakeholders, ensuring seamless project delivery and long-term success.

ANDREW GALL, Director

Argall was founded in 2017 by Andrew Gall, an engineer with a passion for complex design and breaking the mould. His work experience as a senior structural engineer across a variety of project disciplines made him realise there was a real need for a bespoke people and service-oriented structural engineering consultancy that would inspire sustainability practices and innovation often lacking in big companies.

This is over and above his experience in traditional procurement roles, his work with builders in the design and construct field, managing projects in sport, tertiary education, the arts and zoological fields, as well as community, commercial, residential and multi- residential enterprises. With such a wealth of knowledge and understanding of different design methodologies, he has the expertise to challenge the status quo in his new venture.