Australian House & Garden 105H&G HOUSES
< The curved form provides privacy from the street,
captures sunlight throughout the day and allows Eliza
and Michael to keep an eye on their children easily. “From
nearly every room we can see the outdoors and connect
with the kids playing in the garden,” says Michael. “We
love being outside, so we wanted the house to open up to
the outdoors as much as possible.”
“Eliza and I both grew up in regional Victoria in farm
environments,” he says, explaining the family’s love of the
outdoors. “We all ride motorbikes, we waterski in summer
and we visit the nearby Otway Ranges as often as
possible. This year, we’re heading off on a trip across the
top of Australia in an old military Land Rover.”
“This is a house that allows you to interact with, and
observe, the environment at all times,” says Eliza. “It’s
north-facing, and the large expanse of windows means
you get to see cloud movements and the stars and moon
at night. The house is sun-conscious and well ventilated,
and as it’s only one room wide there’s great cross-airflow.”
From the street, the house gives away little of the
surprise within. A path leads across a wide lawn to a
spotted-gum deck; the front door is set into the curved
wall. Directly opposite the door is the stairway leading to
the first floor; to the left is a guestroom/play space and
bathroom, and a door to the double garage. >