Treetop
Most family homes start from the ground up. Treetop starts in the canopy.
Designed by Studio Kennon in Torquay, Victoria, Treetop is shaped by an adapted traditional floor plan that positions everyday life within the surrounding eucalyptus canopy. The move was informed as much by the setting as by the brief itself. Located at the edge of protected parkland, the site offered an opportunity to engage directly with the bushland rather than simply frame it from afar. By elevating the living spaces, Studio Kennon transformed the upper level into a platform for observing the landscape as it shifts throughout the day and across the seasons.
Externally, smooth concrete at ground level transitions to a heavily textured finish above, creating a subtle distinction between the building’s two volumes.
This relationship to the site is expressed through two distinct architectural identities. From the street, the house appears restrained and protective, with a largely solid concrete facade that prioritises privacy. In contrast, the park-facing elevation opens dramatically towards the canopy. A sweeping curved wall of glazing captures views through the trees, while vertical timber louvres filter light and visually echo the surrounding trunks. Large sliding panels disappear entirely into concealed wall cavities, allowing the upper level to open fully to the landscape and coastal breeze.
Materiality plays a key role in shaping the project. Influenced by the client’s background in concrete, the home was conceived as a robust and enduring structure, with a focus on permanence over short-term trends. Externally, smooth concrete at ground level transitions to a heavily textured finish above, creating a subtle distinction between the building’s two volumes.
Inside, the palette continues with a layered mix of concrete, timber and plaster. Polished terrazzo floors run beneath a cast in-situ concrete ceiling, while board-formed concrete walls retain the imprint of their timber formwork. Rather than concealing the construction process, these surfaces reveal it, adding depth and character throughout the interiors.
To balance the weight of the concrete structure, softer gestures are introduced through curved Japanese plaster walls and rounded openings. On the lower level, circulation spaces gently bend through the plan, encouraging a slower and more intuitive experience of movement. Natural light washes across the varied surfaces, highlighting their subtle imperfections and hand-finished quality.
The material palette draws heavily from the landscape beyond the glazing. Warm timber joinery sits alongside limestone, richly veined stone and earthy textiles, while tones reminiscent of eucalyptus bark, sand and native vegetation create a sense of continuity between inside and out. Deeper accents are introduced selectively, adding richness without disrupting the dwelling’s restrained character.
The project presented challenges at both the planning and construction stages. Building alongside protected parkland required careful navigation of environmental constraints, while the home’s curved concrete forms, three-storey sculptural staircase and fully retractable glazing systems demanded a high level of technical precision. Conceived as a continuous element spanning three levels, the staircase required careful coordination, as did the concealed glazing systems that allow entire sections of the facade to retract from view.
Though its setting might suggest a holiday retreat, Treetop was designed as a permanent family residence. As such, it responds equally well to Torquay’s contrasting seasons. In summer, the home opens itself to the canopy and cooling breezes; in winter, it draws inward around the warmth of a fire. Throughout the year, the house remains firmly connected to the landscape that inspired it.
