Houzz Tour: A Home from Home for an Irish Family in Australia
A family of six has created a beautiful contemporary home made of timber, glass and concrete in the stunning Australian landscape
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 children moved to the area, just outside Ballarat, and asked architect Mick Moloney to create a home 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 used to, but the couple also wanted their new home to be a true slice of Australia, taking advantage of the beautiful bush views in the surrounding area.
The project was undertaken with their specifications in mind and was completed in two years. The result is a modern abode with large, open-plan living spaces, where the interior blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.
The project was undertaken with their specifications in mind and was completed in two years. The result is a modern abode with large, open-plan living spaces, where the interior blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.
The majority of the building is made of timber. ‘We like timber because it’s easy to work with, inexpensive, and actually stores carbon dioxide rather than creating it,’ says Moloney. The property was a finalist for several timber design awards, and won the Australian Timber Design Awards in 2015.
The hallway, seen here, dictates the style of the rest of the house – welcoming, but also grand. ‘We like the idea of making areas work hard, so the hall incorporates the staircase as a design feature, while also saving space,’ says Moloney.
The hallway, seen here, dictates the style of the rest of the house – welcoming, but also grand. ‘We like the idea of making areas work hard, so the hall incorporates the staircase as a design feature, while also saving space,’ says Moloney.
The dining room leads off the hallway and is big enough for a large 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, and it snowed twice on the site during construction. For Moloney, a key priority was to insulate the building to a high level, and to position the house to maximise how much sunlight it will receive during the winter.
At night, the thermal mass of the floor slab and internal concrete releases stored heat and helps to regulate the interior temperature. The striking fireplace by Chiminees Philippe also helps to disperse hot air around the room.
Table and chairs, Great Dane.
At night, the thermal mass of the floor slab and internal concrete releases stored heat and helps to regulate the interior temperature. The striking fireplace by Chiminees Philippe also helps to 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 is constantly used as a quick eating spot on busy mornings, as well as a place where the family can gather. The homeowners also wanted a welcoming space that would encourage the kids to join in with the 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 needs in winter, but also in summer. Moloney explains that wide eaves were of limited use on the west facade, as afternoon sun enters the property at a low angle. Instead, they used exterior timber-batten shading screens on the north and west facades.
The facade is made up of four materials: spotted gum cladding and blackbutt timber battens (both Australian hardwoods) over glass and concrete.
The living room receives a lot of natural 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 focal point and acts as a natural divide between the other rooms.
Smoked oak interior lining floorboards, Harper & Sandilands. Dollop pendant lights, Ash Allen.
Want a more sociable living room? Here’s how to make it the only place to be
Smoked oak interior lining floorboards, Harper & Sandilands. Dollop pendant lights, Ash Allen.
Want a more sociable living room? Here’s how to make it the only place to be
The playroom lets the children play in a space closely connected to the open-plan living area. Having the rooms flow into each other was an important part of the design. Concealed sliding door panels control the noise levels in this room, and a small window into the space allows the parents to see in even when the door is closed.
The interior décor is still a work in progress, but the homeowners aim to decorate with modern pieces that will blend in with the warm tones of the house.
Discover 9 smart ways to zone an open-plan home
The interior décor is still a work in progress, but the homeowners aim to decorate with modern pieces that will blend in with the warm tones of the house.
Discover 9 smart ways to zone an open-plan home
The downstairs bathroom is a simple, contemporary design, with sleek taps and fittings.
Taps, Reece. Fittings, Rogerseller.
Taps, Reece. Fittings, Rogerseller.
The bedrooms are upstairs and the main bedroom is an open space with no doors. ‘The family is very close, but when we suggested making the parents’ bedroom open to the void above the living room, we assumed 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 he’s not only proud of the design achievements of the house, but also of the relationship he’s 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 Australian home? Let us know in the Comments below.
TELL US…
What do you think of this Australian home? Let us know in the Comments below.
Who lives here An Irish-Australian couple and their four children
Property A newly built detached house
Location Invermay, Victoria, Australia
Size 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Architect Mick Moloney of Moloney Architects
This was the first new home the clients had ever had built, so they relied on Moloney to use his creativity and experience as much as possible. ‘They were extraordinary clients,’ he says. ‘They trusted the process and the professionals involved to do their jobs. They had very little in the way of a brief. They said they wanted five bedrooms and they showed me a few magazine clippings, plus about five notes on functional things such as laundry chutes and a big bath.’
Moloney originally suggested a one-storey layout for the family, but they were 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 beautiful views around the property.
While the upstairs rooms had prime lookouts, the views from the living areas downstairs were limited, 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 southwest,’ he explains.