Vivarium
In time this house will be consumed by its gardens. Already the buzz of pollination fills the air: bees, blowies and butterflies. Nestled between three native crops, nature has the jump start. An extension to an existing Thornbury cottage, the new living areas are landscape as much as they are house, tangled through with greenery.
This is a house that sympathises with its environment, locally and globally. Wherever possible, products have been locally sourced, and materials have been selected for their low environmental impact.
| Location | Thornbury |
| Completed | 2019 |
| Awards | 2021, Victorian Architecture Awards, Residential Award |
| 2021, Victorian Architecture Awards, sustainability category, shortlisted | |
| 2021, Architeam Awards, winner | |
| 2021, Houses Awards, shortlisted | |
| 2021, Houses Awards (sustainability), shortlisted | |
| Construction | Bresnan & Smith |
| Landscape | Bush Projects |
| Photography | Tom Ross |
| Media | Houses |
| The Local Project | |
| Details | See floor plan |
We wanted to minimise our environmental impact in the renovation of our house and sought out a sympathetic design practice. Architecture architecture were collaborative and thoughtful and have crafted for us a serene and peaceful home that is aligned with our values around sustainability.
Kimberley & Justin
where the house meets the yard
it yields to the ferns and native grasses
the birds and their song
Deflexion:
a cellulose membrane
stretched to transparency
Flexion:
plant life pressed to the house
on all sides, held to the shade
whetted blades and damp fronds
Refraxion:
caught in a dream
that bends with the light
Fluxion:
a verdant king tide
turning in for a moment
and then turning out
Reflexion:
the garden within
and the garden without
Hip & Gable
A reclining hip casually slouches over the bedroom wing, while an attentive gable stands to attention over the more formal living spaces. Side by side, they are like the ears of a dog, one alert and the other playful, ready for whatever comes next.Kew East
Hip & Gable
, jaunty gables, casual hips.
The Arbour
On a hot summer’s day, nothing beats the shade of a leafy arbour. With dappled cover and a little breeze, the body finds its comfort. This simple extension provides just that.The Arbour
, sunlight at play.
Miller House
From the moment of entry, views shift and redirect between the courtyards, light-wells, decks and gardens. Natural light washes the internal space from all directions, encouraging exploration of the various living areas and retreats.North Fitzroy