Templestowe

Set at the rear of a one-acre property surrounded by rolling hills and established bushland, the home embraces its elevated position, capturing expansive views while creating a strong sense of privacy and calm.

The journey begins long before arrival. A sweeping driveway guides visitors through the site before revealing a series of carefully composed forms, where soaring volumes, natural light, and framed views establish an immediate connection to the landscape. Designed for multiple generations to gather and spend time together, the home balances moments of togetherness with spaces for quiet retreat.

The clients, a couple with adult children and grandchildren, envisioned a family retreat that could comfortably accommodate multiple generations while maintaining a sense of ease and privacy. They wanted a home that would become a destination for family gatherings, creating opportunities to come together while allowing everyone space to relax and unwind in their own way.

Central to the brief was a desire to maximise the site's remarkable outlook and strengthen the connection between indoors and outdoors. The clients were drawn to a contemporary design expression that combined warmth, simplicity, and enduring character, resulting in a home that feels refined, welcoming, and deeply connected to its surroundings.

While the elevated position offered exceptional views across the surrounding hills and bushland, it also presented significant technical challenges. The steep site required extensive excavation, including the removal of substantial rock formations, to establish suitable building platforms and create a functional connection between the home and landscape.

Access was equally complex. The steep gravel driveway required careful planning and engineering, with multiple layers of crushed rock installed to ensure safe and reliable vehicle access. Rather than allowing these constraints to limit the outcome, the site's challenges informed a considered design response that fully embraced the opportunities of the landscape.

The design draws inspiration from the simplicity and honesty of a Scandinavian barn, interpreted through a contemporary lens. Gabled forms, generous volumes, and a restrained palette ensured the home felt both expansive and intimately connected to its surroundings. Large windows frame the surrounding trees and distant views, allowing the landscape to become part of the everyday experience of the home. Light, outlook, and connection to nature informed every major design decision.

A three-wing arrangement became the organising principle of the home. This approach allowed public and private zones to remain clearly defined while maintaining a strong sense of connection between family members. The result is a home that supports both lively gatherings and quiet moments of retreat, providing spaces for connection without compromising privacy.