They each worked with FMD Architects on previous house designs – and then they got married. Together, the couple enlisted the same firm to create a home for their new chapter.
Located in Melbourne, the 1,700sqft house is a warm, welcoming nest of honeyed timber, natural light, and plenty of references to the leafy outdoors. The ceilings, rising to a height of 48ft, create a sense of spaciousness and scale.
“It’s a house full of warmth from the timber and natural light. The forms created are generated from sculpting the house to the light, while minimising any impact on neighbours,” says FMD Architects in an interview with Home Journal.
Towards the centre where the dining and living areas meet, a beautiful pair of skylights form triangular openings in the roof of the home. The dramatic feature, “forming a mobius-like configuration of two shapes coming together,” is symbolic of the couple’s marriage.
“This was quite a feat of engineering! It also has concealed lights, so it acts as a lantern at night, too,” says the firm’s representative.
The angled shapes are also a motif throughout the home – in the glazing and joinery forms, as well as the cabinetry pulls.
The couple had a lot of input on the house’s design, which features plenty of their own art, book, and plant collection, as well as furniture. Accommodations for their adult children were also factored in.
The house looks to the future as well, supporting multigenerational living and accessibility. “One important feature are the ramped floors and decks between the different levels to ensure the house is accessible for our clients in future years as they age.”
Storage is built into the transitional spaces between the living and sleeping areas. The same space is also optimised for display. “The client has several indigenous artworks from the Torch Gallery, which supports indigenous people who are incarcerated by encouraging artistic pursuits,” shares the representative.
Meanwhile, the courtyard forms an extended living area.
As they embark on new life together, what did the couple like best about their new home?
“They love all the bespoke joinery, the connection to the garden spaces, and also all the concealed LED lighting, which creates unusual and dramatic lighting options at night,” says the firm.
See more: This Modernist Family Home in Melbourne Boldly Eschews Neutrals for Bright, Bold Colour Palettes
