Architecture
Aussie Architects Bring Their Dreams to Life
In his new book 'Architects' Houses', author Stephen Crafti takes a look at the homes architects build for themselves in their spare time
We are used to gazing in awe and wonder at the houses architects design for others – but who wouldn’t jump at the chance to peek into the homes of the architects themselves? Stephen Crafti’s new book, Architects’ Houses: Twenty Australian Homes, courtesy of Murdoch Books, allows you to do just that.
The collection of projects featured in this book ranges from warehouses to apartments, from brand new buildings to major renovations. We chose six of our favourites to feature here. Get behind the scenes and discover how these dwellings came about, the trials faced, materials used and the outstanding outcomes achieved when the dreams of these Australian architects became reality.
The collection of projects featured in this book ranges from warehouses to apartments, from brand new buildings to major renovations. We chose six of our favourites to feature here. Get behind the scenes and discover how these dwellings came about, the trials faced, materials used and the outstanding outcomes achieved when the dreams of these Australian architects became reality.
Henry built a warehouse from scratch, with a translucent roof, soaring ceiling, and multiple levels. The home was designed to be open-plan, with rooms evolving into others – the bright, largely white building hardly has an interior wall – and the home even features an interior garden on the ground floor.
Henry’s extensive art collection covers the largest wall inside, and the lush bush setting is framed by a wall of windows. Heating and cooling are difficult, but Henry is pragmatic. For him the benefits of his ‘magical’ home far outweigh any thermal issues, proving that even architects have to live with compromises.
Henry’s extensive art collection covers the largest wall inside, and the lush bush setting is framed by a wall of windows. Heating and cooling are difficult, but Henry is pragmatic. For him the benefits of his ‘magical’ home far outweigh any thermal issues, proving that even architects have to live with compromises.
2. A 1960s family home that was worth the wait
Architect: Clare Cousins
Location: Melbourne
When Clare Cousins and her family found their current home, modest updates such as re-painting, and vital maintenance such as re-roofing, were all they had time for. It was another three years before Cousins embarked on major changes to make the single-fronted home meet her family’s needs.
The end result was a 1960s-inspired home featuring glazed bricks and curved exterior walls. The built-in lounge (pictured) seats 16, creating an intimate living area with the garden outside a stylish backdrop.
Incorporating concrete floors and timber ceilings, skylights and spaces that are practical and pleasing, Cousins has created a home that fulfils her professional objective of creating spaces to enhance everyday life.
TAKE HOME TIP: Clare Cousins took the advice that many architects give homeowners; living in a house before renovating is a great way to work out what you really want.
Architect: Clare Cousins
Location: Melbourne
When Clare Cousins and her family found their current home, modest updates such as re-painting, and vital maintenance such as re-roofing, were all they had time for. It was another three years before Cousins embarked on major changes to make the single-fronted home meet her family’s needs.
The end result was a 1960s-inspired home featuring glazed bricks and curved exterior walls. The built-in lounge (pictured) seats 16, creating an intimate living area with the garden outside a stylish backdrop.
Incorporating concrete floors and timber ceilings, skylights and spaces that are practical and pleasing, Cousins has created a home that fulfils her professional objective of creating spaces to enhance everyday life.
TAKE HOME TIP: Clare Cousins took the advice that many architects give homeowners; living in a house before renovating is a great way to work out what you really want.
3. A courtyard house with a Japanese twist
Architect: Sue Carr
Location: Melbourne
Architect and interior designer Sue Carr has embraced her love of minimalism in her reworked courtyard-style house. Not keen on the original enclosed rooms, Carr had her house gutted and remodelled into a contemporary and tranquil retreat. She drew on Japanese influences, making sightlines to the garden (which Carr also designed) a priority. Further priorities were the allowances for natural light and cross-ventilation to maximise comfort and style.
With a nod to European tradition, the fireplace presents a welcoming scene inside the front door. Polished wall surfaces are enhanced through the use of discreet lighting concealed in the ceiling’s shadow lines. According to Carr, “There’s a continual warm glow against the rendered walls. It was important to get the right light with the materials used.”
Architect: Sue Carr
Location: Melbourne
Architect and interior designer Sue Carr has embraced her love of minimalism in her reworked courtyard-style house. Not keen on the original enclosed rooms, Carr had her house gutted and remodelled into a contemporary and tranquil retreat. She drew on Japanese influences, making sightlines to the garden (which Carr also designed) a priority. Further priorities were the allowances for natural light and cross-ventilation to maximise comfort and style.
With a nod to European tradition, the fireplace presents a welcoming scene inside the front door. Polished wall surfaces are enhanced through the use of discreet lighting concealed in the ceiling’s shadow lines. According to Carr, “There’s a continual warm glow against the rendered walls. It was important to get the right light with the materials used.”
A central courtyard containing a cherry blossom tree is a main focal point of the home. And, continuing the Japanese theme, Carr purposely kept areas such as the living room and kitchen as minimal as possible so as not to compete with the floral feature.
Even with Carr’s many years of experience, certain challenges existed in designing her own home. Getting the integrated technology just right, for example, required patience and fine-tuning. However, the pleasure of living with what she has achieved certainly made the effort worthwhile.
TAKE HOME TIP: Placing a beautiful ornamental tree in a central position, such as in an inner courtyard, provides an ever-changing source of natural beauty. Keeping your surrounding interiors simple will ensure the the tree stays the main focus.
Even with Carr’s many years of experience, certain challenges existed in designing her own home. Getting the integrated technology just right, for example, required patience and fine-tuning. However, the pleasure of living with what she has achieved certainly made the effort worthwhile.
TAKE HOME TIP: Placing a beautiful ornamental tree in a central position, such as in an inner courtyard, provides an ever-changing source of natural beauty. Keeping your surrounding interiors simple will ensure the the tree stays the main focus.
4. A Victorian worker’s cottage mixes old and new
Architect: Drew Heath
Location: Melbourne
With a growing family, builder and architect Drew Heath needed to bring his family’s small heritage-listed Victorian worker’s cottage into the 21st century. The award-winning results see the cottage now housing a family of six, maximising space, functionality and liveability.
Materials used in the new wing embrace the old and the new. For example, slate roofing has been retained and added to the exterior. However, on the inside, gleaming timbers (particularly spotted gum) line walls and floors; concrete has been indented with flocked wallpaper to create an unusual, tactile finish; and pivoting steel and glass doors create a seamless division between outside and in.
Architect: Drew Heath
Location: Melbourne
With a growing family, builder and architect Drew Heath needed to bring his family’s small heritage-listed Victorian worker’s cottage into the 21st century. The award-winning results see the cottage now housing a family of six, maximising space, functionality and liveability.
Materials used in the new wing embrace the old and the new. For example, slate roofing has been retained and added to the exterior. However, on the inside, gleaming timbers (particularly spotted gum) line walls and floors; concrete has been indented with flocked wallpaper to create an unusual, tactile finish; and pivoting steel and glass doors create a seamless division between outside and in.
The kitchen includes numerous open shelves for easy access, and built-in lights in the ceiling beams were chosen because they were reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright.
Encouragingly for many of us, not everything is finished. Heath admits the house is “Ninety per cent complete, with ten per cent still to go”. Nor is everything shiny and sleek. Heath prefers timbers to age naturally without the need for oiling. Behold, a family-friendly home that truly works.
Encouragingly for many of us, not everything is finished. Heath admits the house is “Ninety per cent complete, with ten per cent still to go”. Nor is everything shiny and sleek. Heath prefers timbers to age naturally without the need for oiling. Behold, a family-friendly home that truly works.
5. A sweet take on an old inner-city factory
Architect: Stephen Jolson
Location: Melbourne
When architect Stephen Jolson and his wife Lisa discovered an old sweet factory in inner-city Melbourne, they saw an opportunity to make it their family home.
Jolson embarked on a warehouse conversion that for practical reasons saw him converting the ground floor into his office space. His long-term plan is to convert it back into bedrooms and living space when his children get older. “Spaces don’t have to be fixed. We plan to stay here for the long term, but that means the spaces will change to suit our needs,” says Jolson.
At seven metres in length and over one metre wide, the Indian black granite benchtop (pictured) makes a striking addition to the kitchen space.
Architect: Stephen Jolson
Location: Melbourne
When architect Stephen Jolson and his wife Lisa discovered an old sweet factory in inner-city Melbourne, they saw an opportunity to make it their family home.
Jolson embarked on a warehouse conversion that for practical reasons saw him converting the ground floor into his office space. His long-term plan is to convert it back into bedrooms and living space when his children get older. “Spaces don’t have to be fixed. We plan to stay here for the long term, but that means the spaces will change to suit our needs,” says Jolson.
At seven metres in length and over one metre wide, the Indian black granite benchtop (pictured) makes a striking addition to the kitchen space.
The large living area is linked to a terrace via five sets of double-glazed doors. The interior wall (pictured) is decorated with an oversized photo of the vats used for making sweets; reminding the occupants of the building’s working history.
Other striking aspects of the conversion include a garden on the upper level, plus steel staircases and materials that complement the building’s industrial feel. Making the most of a northerly aspect and city skylines, Jolson and family have found a true oasis in the city. And who wouldn’t want to live in a chocolate factory?
TAKE HOME TIP: Having a long-term plan for how best to use the spaces in your home can change the way you choose to renovate now. Remember, a renovation doesn’t have to be forever.
Other striking aspects of the conversion include a garden on the upper level, plus steel staircases and materials that complement the building’s industrial feel. Making the most of a northerly aspect and city skylines, Jolson and family have found a true oasis in the city. And who wouldn’t want to live in a chocolate factory?
TAKE HOME TIP: Having a long-term plan for how best to use the spaces in your home can change the way you choose to renovate now. Remember, a renovation doesn’t have to be forever.
6. An old fibro home turned beach pad
Architect: Rob Brown (along with furniture designer Caroline Casey)
Location: Sydney
What happens when an architect and a furniture designer (and their four children) look for a house together? Rob Brown and Caroline Casey found their ideal space near the beach in an old fibro home, where surrounding trees and the sea provided the perfect site.
Rather than knocking down the 1910 dwelling, Brown and Casey imagined a contemporary pavilion joined to the existing building. Working in stages and over a number of years, the original rooms were restored and an extension was added that continued in the same relaxed character.
Finally a new wing was built, providing a kitchen, dining and living area in one large and uninterrupted space. A three-metre breezeway connects the old with the new, and on the outside the white original fibro-clad house is complemented by the new black fibro cladding on the pavilion. The new interiors feature soaring ceilings, polished timbers and walls of glass framing the outdoor beauty.
Architect: Rob Brown (along with furniture designer Caroline Casey)
Location: Sydney
What happens when an architect and a furniture designer (and their four children) look for a house together? Rob Brown and Caroline Casey found their ideal space near the beach in an old fibro home, where surrounding trees and the sea provided the perfect site.
Rather than knocking down the 1910 dwelling, Brown and Casey imagined a contemporary pavilion joined to the existing building. Working in stages and over a number of years, the original rooms were restored and an extension was added that continued in the same relaxed character.
Finally a new wing was built, providing a kitchen, dining and living area in one large and uninterrupted space. A three-metre breezeway connects the old with the new, and on the outside the white original fibro-clad house is complemented by the new black fibro cladding on the pavilion. The new interiors feature soaring ceilings, polished timbers and walls of glass framing the outdoor beauty.
TELL US
Which of these architectural homes is your favourite? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.
Architects’ Houses: Twenty Australian Homes can be purchased from Booktopia for $67.95.
Which of these architectural homes is your favourite? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.
Architects’ Houses: Twenty Australian Homes can be purchased from Booktopia for $67.95.
Architect: John Henry
Location: Melbourne
Architect John Henry’s vision for his ideal home evolved over time, and was challenged by finding the right site, working to a budget and the practicalities of making a fantasy become reality.
The large sloping site, situated 40 kilometres out of Melbourne, had a timber shack that Henry and his partner lived in for three years while they decided how to achieve their dream. “There’s that fear that you won’t be able to create that ‘piece de resistance’,” says Henry.