River House by Susi Leeton Architects + Interiors

Nature takes centrestage in River House by Susi Leeton Architects + Interiors, a serene five-level family home nestled on a complex plot along a bend of the Yarra River.

Founder of her eponymous practice, Susi Leeton first worked on River House – originally built in the 1970s to ’80s – 15 years ago, updating it to meet the needs of a family with young children. Now, with those children grown into teenagers, Leeton was commissioned for a second renovation to adapt the home to the family’s evolving lifestyle.

A sense of flow, echoing the river below, is key to creating a strong sense of place from the outset.

The complexity of the site means the home’s design is deeply influenced by its landscape. “The vision for the project was to create a feeling and atmosphere of serenity and generosity, connecting to the landscape, where the interiors were almost invisibly shimmering as a backdrop to a complex site on the bend in the river,” says Leeton. She lived next door to the dwelling for many years, which only deepened her understanding of the unique challenges posed by the property.

To navigate the obstacles of the gradient, the home is split across five levels, connected by a network of steps, lifts and bridges. A sense of flow, echoing the river below, is key to creating a strong sense of place from the outset. Occupants enter via a bridge from the private driveway at street level and descend through the home. Each level connects to the garden, with windows embedded in thick walls framing views that draw the eye outward.

As the space flows downward into the living areas and bedrooms, lighter, more delicate materials are used.

The journey through the home begins at the gym and garage, where heavier materials ground the design. As the space flows downward into the living areas and bedrooms, lighter, more delicate materials are used. In the kitchen, a monolithic granite bench and drawers dominate the space, while the pantry is encased in a darkened mirror, resembling a bento box, that “reflects the landscape in every direction,” says Leeton. Mirrors throughout the home are used to bring the outdoors inside.

Since the home is south-facing, Leeton worked to “scoop” sunlight from other directions, incorporating skylights that bring light into the interior. The light softly bounces off polished plaster, while walls painted in a soft grey-green echo the backs of the eucalyptus leaves outside.

Warmth is introduced through furnishings by local designers, crafted from natural materials, as well as iconic pieces by international designers.

The bones of the home, including limestone flooring by Eco Outdoor and timber flooring by George Fethers, are sleek and minimal. Warmth is introduced through furnishings by local designers, crafted from natural materials, as well as iconic pieces by international designers. A handcrafted island bench with elegantly tapered legs by Barbera in Tottenham, Victoria is complemented by solid timber stools, turned from Victorian timber logs by Mark Tuckey. The international collection includes the B&B Italia Camaleonda sofa and the EDRA Cipria armchair, with the curves working to soften the space’s lines.

Leeton further deepened the desired sense of place with works by Australian artists such as Daniel Boyd, Kevin Chin and Adrienne Gaha. The result is a tranquil escape that blends into the surrounding landscape, reflecting the designer’s deep understanding of the site and the family that calls it home.

Architecture and interior design by Susi Leeton Architects + Interiors. Build by Skilcon. Landscape design by Myles Baldwin Design. Flooring by Eco Outdoor. Lighting by Adrian Pizzey with Susi Leeton Architects + Interiors. Artwork by Daniel Boyd, Adrienne Gaha, Kevin Chin, Alex Kosmas and Isadora Vaughan.