10 Iconic Australian Homes
Rose Seidler House by Harry Seidler
Without a doubt, the Bauhaus-style design of Rose Seidler House is one of the most iconic pieces of architecture in Australia. The stark white, partially suspended cube that sat surrounded by bushland was like no other suburban home at the time.
Sitting down from the road, the large panes of glass capitalise on the panoramic views and the hollowed out floor plan provides maximum space for living. An open central terrace allows for light to penetrate deep into the interior which is filled with retro furnishings and bold pops of colour.
Marie Short House by Glenn Murcutt
Glenn Murcutt blends the clean lines of modernism with Australia’s functional farmhouse architecture in his design of Marie Short House. Murcutt created two offset pavilion sitting on stilts 3 feet off the ground – one offering public spaces and the other private.
The structure made of local timber in a post-and-beam construction and with a roof clad in corrugated metal punctured by skylights gives a nod to the traditional Australian woodshed design. The outdoor room at the end of one pavilion is enclosed by mesh to keep the resident insects at bay, while a bank of louvres helps harness the view from the master bedroom.
We’re thrilled to announce Eco Outdoor will be hosting the Glenn Murcutt Masterclass in the Waterloo showroom. Read more about it here.
Grounds House by Roy Grounds
Designed by architect Roy Grounds for his own family in 1953, The Grounds House is a home that has largely inspired the indoor/outdoor movement. The modest square home is centred around a circular courtyard of which all the rooms look onto through large panes of glass. At the time, the rectangular façade with only high windows received mixed reactions as it was a radical departure from neighbouring properties.
Inside there’s a sense of an oriental influence with the walls clad Victorian ash ribbing and joinery that is in keeping with the geometric style of the architecture.
Gottlieb house by Wood Marsh
Gottlieb House is defined by abstract forms and geometric shapes made of raw concrete and sits on an unremarkable residential street of Melbourne. Wood Marsh’s brutalist architecture and bunker-life appearance gives little away, but a cantilevered cube hints at what is to come when you walk through the doors.
Inside, the interior is flooded with natural light as the forms are arranged to create vast rooms and openings to the garden. The monochromatic palette and robust materials continue throughout the interior and the detail is impeccable. Even down to the furniture, this is an entirely bespoke home designed by Wood Marsh.
Invisible House by Peter Stutchbury
Built in 2012, ‘Invisible House’ is a significant piece of architecture designed by Peter Sutchbury that’s located on the edge of the Kanimbla Valley in NSW. Tucked into the ridgeline, the house is virtually invisible from a distance blending with the natural landscape and providing protection from the westerly winds.
It’s not until you explore the building up close do you see the incredible cantilevered roof punctuated by a series of corten steel volumes that draw light and air into the interior. The simplistic, yet highly detailed, design celebrates the raw materials of stone, concrete, timber and glass throughout the home further connecting it to the surrounding landscape.
McIntyre House by Peter McIntyre
Owned and designed by architect Peter McIntyre, McIntyre House, also known as Butterfly House, sits cantilevered atop a river bank. Comprised of two triangular steel frames, the McIntyre House is an example of the radical stylistic architecture experiments that were taking place at the time.
The house which is entered below opens up to hovering platforms each featuring open decks that span out above the trees. The design was greatly dictated by the site’s terrain with its steep cliffs. It was also prone to flooding from the Yarra River below.
The Fairhaven House by John Wardle
One of the most recent pieces of architecture on our list is The Fairhaven House by John Wardle. The angular, zinc-clad volumes create a three-storey home that extends out towards the ocean. The proportions and orientation of the building have been created to capitalise on the panoramic views while providing internal spaces that are protected from the exposed site and prevailing winds.
In contrast to the grey zinc cladding, the interior is entirely lined in timber to create a feeling of enclosure and to draw the eyes to the natural outlook.
Kew House by Sean Godsell
The rectangular form of Kew House by Sean Godsell extends 18m and cantilevers over a steep slope. Made of oxidised steel, the home reflects the trend of using local materials that sit comfortably in the landscape.
Divided lengthways, Godsell positioned the open plan living space to the north and the interconnecting bedrooms and study facing the south. At the eastern end, a 7m table is built in to create the hub of the family’s daily activities. Operable steel shutters shade the interior from the western sun and allow for air to flow into the living spaces.
Phillip Island House by Denton Corker Marshall
Nestled into the dunes lies Phillip Island House, a distinctive long thin concrete rectangular form. Designed by Denton Corker Marshall to maintain a low profile, dune grass disguise the home on the land side and the small, “penguin windows’ allow light to filter through without direct visual engagement. Facing the ocean, the home opens up with windows sized and positioned to frame the sea views.
Inside, the home is devoid of any conventional domestic references. The rooms are spacious and quiet, allowing the architecture and location to be the hero of the island property.
The Walsh Street House by Robin Boyd
Designed for his own family, The Walsh Street House is one of Australia’s most iconic homes with Robin Boyd playing a significant role in developing the country’s architecture landscape.
The house, unlike many suburban homes of the time, was positioned facing inwards on the block with the main house and a separate children’s pavilion. The building, with its distinctive sloping roof, enveloped a central courtyard filled with lush plants.
