Wurundjeri
Victoria
Addressing a leafy Melbourne suburban street with a thick domestic hedge, yet connecting to a swath of native bushland from the creek below, the site offered the opportunity to consider the intersection of wilderness within the strict geometry & character of a typical suburban block. Split by these neighbouring conditions, the site became the mediator.
We borrowed from the success of this hedge ‘wall’ to insert layers arraying in plan, delineating space & mediating privacy through two built mechanisms – garden wall & arbour. Material selections for both were made to focus on robustness, economy & to minimise maintenance.
The first built layer, composed of solid face blockwork contrasts with a delicate screen forming an arbour that encircles the building. As vines entwine the structure, this final layer shields the house from harsh winds & is as an embedded sun-shading strategy, providing a varied softness to the blockwork. In effect, the building becomes a landscape condition.
Set within a quintessential Melbourne suburb, this project deftly reconciles the tension between domestic suburbia and the wild terrain of the bushland reserve below. A tall sculptural hedge replaces the traditional façade, redefining the street interface and liberating the architecture to engage meaningfully with landscape rather than formal presentation. The design is organised through a series of robust, low-maintenance layers—garden walls, arbour, and landscape thresholds—that mediate privacy, topography, and climatic conditions with remarkable clarity.
Prioritising passive design, the house is oriented to maximise northern light, enable cross-ventilation, and eliminate the need for mechanical conditioning. Living spaces connect seamlessly to contemplative gardens on both sides, creating a home that is compact, efficient, and deeply grounded in its setting.
Through a collaboration with Bush Projects, the landscaping reimagines the suburban garden, introducing native plantings at the entry and a restrained lawn at the rear. In a subtle but powerful gesture, the building meets the bushland without dominance—draping downward instead of cantilevering out.
This project offers a replicable, forward-thinking model for how suburban housing might evolve—one where built form and environment are not at odds, but are integrated with sensitivity, restraint, and innovation.
It engages, quiets and recharges the mind. Shifting natural elements and the craft of many hands inspire constant wonder. The design dissolves boundaries between inside and out, immersing us in the surrounding landscape and wildlife. The rhythm of the lines and materials cultivates calm while the home’s central spine draws our family of introverts into sunlit spaces and welcome proximity. The materials provide a robust canvas to live without pause and moderate maintenance. The courtyards offer flexibility to meet the demands of the site’s exposed conditions, while the design recognises our responsibility for our visual impact on the bushland below.
Melissa Bright, Principal and Design Director
Emily Watson, Director of Architecture
Rob McIntyre, Director for Design Realisation
Pei She Lee, Architect
Maia Close, Architect
Sarah Hicks, Landscape Architect
Lucida Landscapes, Landscape Contractor
Meyer Consulting, Engineer
Fotia Group, Building Surveyor
The ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
