Inspired by History – Main Creek House by Noxon Architecture
Located amongst picturesque farmland and local orchards in Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, Main Creek House uniquely incorporates both the landscape and the family’s history into the design, accentuating the space’s elegance.
A home for the architect’s parents, Main Creek House was inspired by the creativity of the family’s three generations, who have been based in the local area since the 1960s. The architect’s late grandfather Douglas Stephen was a renowned sculptor, fascinated by the Australian landscape. Douglas drew much of his inspiration for his work from the surrounding bushlands, with many of his pieces featured throughout the home. Main Creek House manages to capture the artistic expression of the family – a space that evokes a love of art, imagination and vision.
The renovation and extension of the original mid-century residence transformed Main Creek House to flow from the inside out. The home is located within the Green Wedge Zone and is subject to many environmental, landscape and bushfire overlays. The original building was closed and dark, whereas Noxon Architecture’s alterations have allowed the space to become immersed in its environment, a space that welcomes contemplation and reflection. With a colour palette that speaks to its neighbouring bushland, Main Creek House is a bright and warm home, eager to inspire.
The contemporary interior draws its inspiration from its original bones, with part of the existing house retained in order to minimise environmental impact and unnecessary resource consumption. The home now includes an underground water tank, onsite waste treatment and rooftop solar, as well as having a new double-glazed and insulated envelope to improve its thermal performance, all of which aid in making the home more sustainable. Existing sections of the home have been repurposed as sanctuaries for art, music and literary pursuits. This includes the outbuilding that encloses the courtyard, which is now an art studio and garage. A new lap pool by East Coast Swimming Pools now sits in the courtyard between the outbuilding and main structure, with travertine coping tile and a blackbutt trellis structure.
Noxon Architecture has ensured the enhancement of the original space, which includes the stairs as a central feature, the home’s split-level planning and multi-layered roofscape. The stairs are wrapped in new timber batten screens to create a multi-faceted space. Its modern interior draws its serenity from the idyllic landscape, which has now become one with its structure and a core pivotal point. The French oak engineered timber floorboards in Everest Timber allow for the merging of the interior and exterior.
The house’s focus has been reoriented towards the garden, with the rear addition cascading down the natural slope of the land it sits on. New Indigenous landscaping resonates with the surrounding native bushland, merging the property with the environment beyond. The established golden elm and pin oak trees – a connection to the home’s past – have been preserved, complementing the thoughtful design of Main Creek House.
With Main Creek House, Noxon Architecture has successfully achieved a contemporary space, whilst honouring its past.
