Houzz Tour: Home Away From Home for an Irish Family in Australia
A contemporary new build nods to Irish residential design while embracing its natural surroundings
In 2012, an Irish couple and their children moved to Invermay, near Melbourne, Australia, and asked architect Mick Moloney to create a home away from home for them. Having spent the majority of their lives in Ireland, they wanted a two-story layout like they were used to, but they also wanted the design to be true to Australia and open to the views of the surrounding landscape. The result is a modern abode with large, open-plan living spaces and an interior that blends with the outdoors.
The majority of the building is made of wood. “We like timber because it is easy to work with, inexpensive and actually stores atmospheric carbon rather than creating it,” Moloney says. The home was a finalist for several wood design awards, and was a winner in the Australian Timber Design Awards of 2015.
The entryway, seen here, sets the style for the rest of the home — it’s welcoming, but also grand. “We like the idea of making spaces work hard, so the entry incorporates the staircase as a design feature while also saving space,” Moloney says.
The entryway, seen here, sets the style for the rest of the home — it’s welcoming, but also grand. “We like the idea of making spaces work hard, so the entry incorporates the staircase as a design feature while also saving space,” Moloney says.
The dining room is off the entry and is big enough for a large table. The space also incorporates a concealed study nook that can be closed off with a sliding wood panel.
Invermay has a cold climate — Moloney remembers it snowing twice on site during construction. For him, a key priority was to insulate the building to a high level and to position the house to maximize solar gain in winter.
At night, the thermal mass of the floor slab and internal off-form concrete returns stored heat and helps regulate the internal temperature. The fireplace, by Chiminees Philippe, also helps disperse warm air around the room.
Table and chairs: Great Dane
At night, the thermal mass of the floor slab and internal off-form concrete returns stored heat and helps regulate the internal temperature. The fireplace, by Chiminees Philippe, also helps disperse warm air around the room.
Table and chairs: Great Dane
The kitchen is the heart of the home for this family, and the island countertop is used not only for quick breakfasts on busy mornings, but as a place to gather when the family entertains. The homeowners also wanted a welcoming space that would encourage the kids to join in on cooking.
The large, open-plan living area opens onto a deck. Moloney and his team had to consider the structure in all seasons. Wide eaves were of limited use on the west facade, Moloney says, because afternoon sun enters the home at a low angle. Instead, wood-batten shade screens were installed on the north and west facades.
The facade composition is divided into four elements: spotted gum siding, blackbutt timber battens over glass, open glass and concrete.
The living room receives a lot of light, and the double-height ceiling enhances the feeling of open space.
Though the fireplace is intended to warm the room, it also provides a central focal point and a degree of separation between the other areas.
Smoked oak interior lining boards: Harper Sandilands; Dollop pendant lights: Ash Allen
Though the fireplace is intended to warm the room, it also provides a central focal point and a degree of separation between the other areas.
Smoked oak interior lining boards: Harper Sandilands; Dollop pendant lights: Ash Allen
The family room allows the children to play in a space closely connected to the open-plan area. Having the rooms flow into one another was an important part of the design. Concealed sliding doors control the noise in this room, and a small window into the space (not pictured) allows a visual connection even when the door is closed.
The interior decor is still a work in progress, but the homeowners plan to decorate with modern pieces that blend with the warm tones of the house.
The interior decor is still a work in progress, but the homeowners plan to decorate with modern pieces that blend with the warm tones of the house.
The downstairs bathroom is a simple contemporary design.
Upstairs, the master bedroom is an open space with no doors. “The family is very close and so when we suggested the idea of making the parents’ bedroom open to the void above the lounge room, we assumed that they wouldn’t go for it. But they loved the idea of being able to connect with the hum of the household,” Moloney says.
Moloney says he’s proud not only 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.
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Who lives here: An Irish-Australian couple and their four children
Location: Invermay, Australia
Size: Five bedrooms, three bathrooms
Architect Mick Moloney suggested a one-story layout for the homeowners, but they were set on having two, with the bedrooms on the upper level to reflect the style of many Irish homes. Most important to them was creating enough access to the views the property afforded.
While the upstairs rooms had prime vistas, the views from the downstairs level 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 says.