A Robust Harmony – Local House by Zen Architects

Zen Architects thoughtfully reinterprets the character of a historically significant suburb, creating a deeply layered home that reconciles with its past, present and surrounding landscape. A beautiful interweaving of materials, character and style, Local House is an example of how seemingly opposing design elements can work in harmony to create a unique, modern, sustainable home.

Located within Mount Eagle Estate in Eaglemont, north-east Melbourne, the original dwelling has been replaced to welcome a more modern home that complements surrounding nature while complying with the heritage, landscape and vegetation protection overlays. Thus, Local House is layered; separated private, public and guest spaces are differentiated by materiality, volume, light and view. The bedrooms and library are intimate and textural, while the kitchen, dining and lounge are light and connected.

Local House is layered – separated private, public and guest spaces are differentiated by materiality, volume, light and view.

These differing moods are woven together through a robust and tactile palette that harmonises the building with its landscape, which became an integral driver of the architectural direction of Local House. Landscape design takes a mixed native approach, incorporating an abundance of plant types that will grow with the building over time. Materiality is born from the surrounding environment and echoes a continuous connection between the land, the outside and the inside of the home. Castlemaine slate is used for pavers and Victorian ash timber beams are used for the pergola, above the entry, library, kitchen and sitting room. Recycled brick and course render are used on the exterior, connecting the house to its locale in terms of the heritage of the area while also offering a contemporary, timeless aesthetic.

An embedded connection to the landscape is seen in almost every aspect of the home, which speaks to the overall sustainable approach. Windows are solicitously placed for passive solar design and to optimise views, light and ventilation. While functional, the way the design allows natural light to enter the home also offers a stunning visual spectacle, as natural light falls over highly tactile and textural finishes, injecting character and movement into the home in the way patterns change throughout the day and the year.

Materiality is born from the surrounding natural environment and echoes a continuous connection between the land, the outside and the inside of the home.

Additionally, the home’s footprint has been reduced by almost 100 square metres – the new house sits higher on the hill and is re-positioned to face toward the north-facing garden to the rear, improving liveability and energy efficiency. Natural, recycled and durable materials are used almost exclusively and are almost entirely sourced from within Victoria, minimising embodied energy.

Local House reflects its name in every aspect of its design. The versatile and sustainable home takes cues from Mount Eagle Estate, eloquently weaving heritage and landscape into the interior and exterior of the house to form one harmonious, rich and character-filled home.