In the heart of Armadale, Hampden by Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors (RMA) stands as a testament to modern living harmoniously entwined with nature. The boutique collection of nine three-bedroom apartments is not just a residence but a curated experience designed to evoke a sense of joy and connection from the moment one steps through its elegant arches. The building’s soft grey façade, adorned with curved architectural gestures, lush greenery, and nods to the grandeur of Rome’s Palazzo della Civiltà, offers a striking presence on the tree-lined street, seamlessly blending into the suburban tapestry.
Each spacious residence is a sanctuary of light, where the sun’s rays lacquer meticulously crafted interiors. The clean, edited precision of the interior architecture is juxtaposed by the informal beauty of nature’s presence, which introduces animated visual poetry through cinematic shadowplay and the gentle dance of gauzy window treatments that pool upon the warm timber floors. RMA’s commitment to sustainable living is evident, with a 7-star energy rating, passive solar design, and low-toxicity materials informing the thoughtful layout. Residents here, including Rob Mills himself, who resides in the penthouse, are part of a close-knit community nurtured by shared values and a deep appreciation for nature, thanks to integrated pocket gardens and verdant landscaping that invite relaxation and inspiration.
“Living in the building as an architect, I know I’m going to bump into everyone, so unless the building is spot on, I’m definitely going to hear about it,” says Rob Mills, Founding Architect of RMA. In abiding by this acknowledgment of accountability, each and every detail at Hampden has been carefully selected as a sum of the project’s parts. Oak, travertine, linen, steel, timber, brick, stucco and brass fluidly converse within homes defined by material nobility and artisanal craftsmanship.
Each design gesture, motif and vignette at Hampden gives off the feeling of exhalation. Light, space and sensorial engagement reign within a softly muted palette defined by diverse surface expressions—honed, mirrored, grained, oil-rubbed—while a sweeping geometric trajectory carries through built compositions into the smallest details, including tap ware.
“Pittella is the essence of handmade bespoke residential doorware, cabinetry hardware, and tapware,” says Rob, describing his longstanding relationships with Pittella and his dedication to the products across the studio’s built portfolio. Continuing a relationship spanning two generations, Rob has worked closely with Pittella to design and procure products for Hampden that extend the project’s Italianate classicism.
“Rob loves Italian architecture and the historic beauty of 18th and 17th century Northern Italy,” explains Simone Pittella, Managing Director of Pittella. “The arches of Rome’s Palazzo della Civiltà, the civil building on which he based his design for this apartment building, resonates with the form and traditional craftsmanship of our Italian-made ironmongery. He values Roman architecture’s uniqueness, structure and originality, and that’s a shared inspiration.”
Pittella’s Bellagio door pull is an elegant and befitting feature throughout Hampden. “About eight years ago, Rob sketched something. We then revised it, distilling his design intentions into a product he loved,” says Simone. “It’s unique to this project but will become part of the Pittella collection.”
In the true spirit of cross-disciplinary collaboration, a quality that marks so many of Italy’s seminal design studios, past and present, Hampden has become a steward of comprehensive and cohesive aesthetics. ”For the first time in our career, we can select a finish for all three critical interior components that match each other and are one with our design,” says Rob. This sentiment has forged a collection of homes that carry a graceful poise. A sophisticated, neither classical nor contemporary air yields to both through the thoughtful dovetailing of materials and gestures that craft enduring beauty to land on the elusive quality of timelessness.
Bellagio Door Pull
