The building makes maximum use of the site. It hugs the SE boundary and turns its back to Melbourne’s cold and windy southwesterly aspect. The downstairs living spaces in the house open out and extend to a sunny timber-decked central courtyard through a faceted wall of windows and fully retractable glass doors.

The blackened, zinc-clad upper level ‘shell’ of the building provides a naturally weathering armature, with the warmth of natural cedar windows and hardwood cladding at openings and recesses. Slot windows provide framed views to the surrounding neighbourhood, and these are carefully oriented and protected to maximise light to the interior yet respect the privacy of adjoining dwellings.

Project Engineer: KH Engineering

Building Contractor: Area Construction Pty Ltd

Landscape: David Manning

Photographer: Christine Francis

Site area: 230 sqm (approx.)

Building area total: 300 sqm (approx.)