Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: An Irish Couple Make Their Mark in Victoria
A modern family home outside of Ballarat makes the most of large open spaces and the natural surroundings
Located in the hills of Invermay, Victoria, is a fine example of how a European lifestyle can be accommodated by Australian architecture. Back in 2012, an Irish couple and their family moved to Invermay, just outside of Ballarat, and asked architect Mick Moloney to create a home away from home for them. Having spent the majority of their lives in Ireland, they were keen to have a two-storey layout like the ones they were so used to, but the couple also wanted their new home to be a true slice of Australia, taking advantage of the bush views in the surrounding area. The project was undertaken with their specifications in mind, and was was completed in two years. The result is a modern abode with large open-plan living spaces, where the interior spaces blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: An Irish-Australian couple and their four children
Location: Invermay, Victoria (near Ballarat)
Size: 330 square metres; 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: An Irish-Australian couple and their four children
Location: Invermay, Victoria (near Ballarat)
Size: 330 square metres; 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
The majority of the building is made of timber. “We like timber because it is easy to work with, inexpensive, and actually stores atmospheric carbon rather than creating it,” says Moloney. The home was a finalist for several timber design awards, and even won the Australian Timber Design Awards in 2015.
The entryway, seen here, dictates the style of the rest of the home – it’s welcoming, but also grand. “We like the idea of making spaces work hard, so the entry incorporates the staircase as a design feature, while also saving space,” says Moloney.
The entryway, seen here, dictates the style of the rest of the home – it’s welcoming, but also grand. “We like the idea of making spaces work hard, so the entry incorporates the staircase as a design feature, while also saving space,” says Moloney.
The dining room comes off the entryway and is big enough for a large dining table. The space also incorporates a concealed study nook that can be closed off with a sliding timber panel.
Invermay has a cold climate, with winter temperatures regularly dropping below zero. Moloney remembers it snowing twice on the site during construction. For him, a key priority was to insulate the building to a very high level, and to position the house to maximise solar gain in winter.
At night, the thermal mass of the floor slab and internal off-form concrete returns stored heat and helps to regulate the internal temperature. The fireplace by Chiminees Phillipe also helps disperse hot air around the room.
Table and chairs: Great Dane
At night, the thermal mass of the floor slab and internal off-form concrete returns stored heat and helps to regulate the internal temperature. The fireplace by Chiminees Phillipe also helps disperse hot air around the room.
Table and chairs: Great Dane
The kitchen is the heart of the home for this family, and the island bench gets a good workout as a quick eating spot for busy mornings, as well as a place where gatherings happen. The homeowners also wanted a welcoming space that encourages the kids to join in on cooking.
The large open-plan living area opens out onto a viewing deck. Moloney and his team not only had to consider the building’s environmental considerations in winter, but also in summer. Moloney explains that wide eaves were of limited use on the west facade, as afternoon sun enters the home at a low angle. Instead, they used exterior timber-batten shading screens on the north and west facades.
The facade composition is divided into four elements; spotted gum cladding, blackbutt timber battens over glass, open glass, and concrete.
The living room receives a lot of light, and the double-height ceiling enhances the feeling of open space. While the fireplace is intended to warm the room, it also provides a central focal point and a degree of separation between the other rooms.
Smoked Oak Interior lining boards: Harper Sandilands; Dollop Pendant Lights: Ash Allen
Smoked Oak Interior lining boards: Harper Sandilands; Dollop Pendant Lights: Ash Allen
The rumpus room allows the children to play in a space closely connected to the open-plan area. Having the rooms flow on to each other was an important part of the design. Concealed sliding door panels control the noise in this room, and a small window into the space allows a visual connection even when the door is closed (not pictured here).
The interior decor is still a work in progress, but the homeowners are endeavouring to decorate with modern pieces that blend with the warm tones of the house.
The interior decor is still a work in progress, but the homeowners are endeavouring to decorate with modern pieces that blend with the warm tones of the house.
The downstairs bathroom is a simple contemporary design, with tapware by Reece and fittings by Roger Seller.
The bedrooms are located upstairs and the master bedroom is an open space with no doors. “The family is very close and so when we suggested the idea of making the parents’ bedroom open to the void above the lounge room, we assumed that they wouldn’t go for it. But they loved the idea of being able to connect with the hum of the household,” says Moloney.
Moloney says that he is not only proud of the design achievements of the house, but also the relationship he has formed with the homeowners. “It’s great to be able to go out for a glass of wine with them and discuss their plans for the landscaping,” he says.
TELL US
What do you think of this beautiful bush home? Let us know in the Comments section.
TELL US
What do you think of this beautiful bush home? Let us know in the Comments section.
Moloney originally suggested a one-storey layout for the family, but they were very set on having two, with the bedrooms on the upper level to imitate the style of most homes back in Ireland. Most important to the brief was creating enough access to the views around the property.
While the upstairs rooms had prime lookouts, the views from the living areas downstairs were limited, and so Moloney suggested a cantilever design. “The cantilevered part of
the house brings the downstairs living areas far enough over the hillside to capture the views to the south-west,” he explains.