Houzz Tour: A Dream House Built to Stand the Test of Time
This Australian family’s home showcases concrete and stone outside, and midcentury modern design inside
The goals for this Australian dream home were many. The client, who is a builder and masonry specialist, wanted a house that utilized concrete and stone as the main exterior materials and that referenced midcentury modernism on the interior. He also wanted the home to stay relevant as the family grew, to accommodate large gatherings and to engage in a meaningful way with the landscape.
Overall, the aim was to build an iconic home that would stand the test of time. It is oriented east-west across the lot with a 33-foot setback from the front property line.
Find a local architect on Houzz to design your dream home
Find a local architect on Houzz to design your dream home
The layout is organized around a central entry hallway and is designed to reveal a sequence of compact and expansive spaces that have a strong connection to the landscape.
The house has varied ceiling heights. From the small front door opening, visitors immediately encounter a double-height entry gallery.
The house has varied ceiling heights. From the small front door opening, visitors immediately encounter a double-height entry gallery.
Public Spaces on the North Side
The gallery passes by the stairs to the second floor, the interior access to the garage, the study and the entrance to the master suite before it opens out on a lofty north-facing living area.
This longitudinal volume encompasses a formal living area to the west, a casual living-dining area in the middle, pictured, and a kitchen to the east. Both east and west areas access secluded garden breezeways, which provide connections to nature while minimizing the need for artificial lighting.
“While there is significant scale in some spaces, the house is highly organized and space-efficient, with clear zoning that supports both family life and individual privacy,” says architect Matt Gibson.
The gallery passes by the stairs to the second floor, the interior access to the garage, the study and the entrance to the master suite before it opens out on a lofty north-facing living area.
This longitudinal volume encompasses a formal living area to the west, a casual living-dining area in the middle, pictured, and a kitchen to the east. Both east and west areas access secluded garden breezeways, which provide connections to nature while minimizing the need for artificial lighting.
“While there is significant scale in some spaces, the house is highly organized and space-efficient, with clear zoning that supports both family life and individual privacy,” says architect Matt Gibson.
“The main spaces have been left simple, with a view to being lofty and airy,” Gibson says. The material and composition of this space intentionally invokes Brazilian modernism, he says.
The flooring throughout this area is polished concrete.
The flooring throughout this area is polished concrete.
Expanses of white plaster are interspersed with wood, glass and concrete, providing a backdrop for the clients’ signature furniture and artwork.
The wood-clad ceiling and the double-height polished plaster chimney are designed to accentuate the loftiness of the space.
Narrow columns supporting the exterior eave also promote airiness and flow.
The informal living area features built-in cabinetry for the family’s precious collectibles.
Wood on ceiling: Mafi
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Wood on ceiling: Mafi
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The Phasmida pendant light, designed by Christopher Boots, takes its inspiration from stick insects and other branching forms in nature.
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Shop for pendant lights on Houzz
The kitchen’s concrete island was poured in place.
To the south is the butler’s pantry, where food preparation and dirty dishes can be out of sight, out of mind.
The alfresco dining area is conveniently located next to the kitchen (behind the planter).
The 55-foot-long operable wall of low-emissivity glass that runs along the north side of the house provides a view of the yard, tennis court, pool and cabana.
The pool and cabana are perfect for hot Melbourne days.
On the opposite side of the house from the kitchen is the formal living area. Its furnishings include a piano, a tufted ottoman and cushy seating.
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Shop for tufted ottomans
It also has a view of and access to the yard.
“Of particular satisfaction for us is that this house is designed specifically as a beautiful backdrop to this family’s life, blending art, landscape and natural comfort,” Gibson says.
“Of particular satisfaction for us is that this house is designed specifically as a beautiful backdrop to this family’s life, blending art, landscape and natural comfort,” Gibson says.
First-story floor plan
Second-story floor plan
Private Spaces on the South Side
The bedrooms lie on the home’s southern side. They are more intimate and continue the natural-materials theme with wood and leather. This is the master bedroom, the only one on the first floor.
The bedrooms lie on the home’s southern side. They are more intimate and continue the natural-materials theme with wood and leather. This is the master bedroom, the only one on the first floor.
This organic approach to materiality also flows through to the master bath.
Rock-look porcelain vanity in Falda Grey: Signorino Tile Gallery
Rock-look porcelain vanity in Falda Grey: Signorino Tile Gallery
Endicott Filetti dry stone exterior wall: Eco Outdoor
Just outside the master bedroom is a courtyard with a reflection pool.
The second floor’s tapered-concrete form provides views over the front yard (newly landscaped by Rick Eckersley) and the rear yard (toward the city). East and west elevations are windowless and restrict sightlines to neighbors.
“We decided if the client wanted to use concrete and do something interesting with it, then let’s really promote the upper volume as the defining element of the building’s architecture,” Gibson says.
“We decided if the client wanted to use concrete and do something interesting with it, then let’s really promote the upper volume as the defining element of the building’s architecture,” Gibson says.
The second floor contains the remaining three en suite bedrooms and a retreat area.
Like the informal living room, the retreat area features built-in cabinetry.
Off the retreat is a deck.
“The financial benefit for this family is a flexible, beautiful living environment developed in close consultation with their specific modes of domesticity,” Gibson says. “It’s inexpensive to heat and cool, a high-quality environment, with robust construction that maximizes the site’s potential and ensures the longevity of this design and habitation for this family for the long term.”
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“The financial benefit for this family is a flexible, beautiful living environment developed in close consultation with their specific modes of domesticity,” Gibson says. “It’s inexpensive to heat and cool, a high-quality environment, with robust construction that maximizes the site’s potential and ensures the longevity of this design and habitation for this family for the long term.”
More on Houzz
Read about other homes around the world
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Shop for home products
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of five
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Size: Four bedrooms, 4½ bathrooms
Designers: Matt Gibson Architecture + Design and Eckersley Garden Architecture
The house, in a bayside neighborhood of southern Melbourne, contains four en suite bedrooms, a large living space, a kitchen with a butler’s pantry, a separate study and children’s area and a powder room. The yard features an outdoor dining area, a tennis court and a pool with a cabana. A basement and accommodation for six vintage cars are included as well.