Laurel Grove

by Kirsten Johnstone Architecture

Rammed earth, concrete and timber are celebrated design heroes at this newly built house in Blackburn. The site presented interesting design challenges due to its location within a Significant Landscape Overlay in a unique urban pocket of Melbourne. Our response was driven by a focus on family living and the use of sustainable materials. Australian timbers were applied throughout the home, whilst rammed earth blade walls form deep reveals to create protected interior living spaces without compromising access to natural light. These walls offer further protection from the western sun due to the inherent thermal mass properties of rammed earth, along with the burnished concrete slab. Details such as the hidden sliding cavity door between the hallway to the dining area speaks to the thoughtfully designed transition between spaces, including highlight timber batten ceiling features that extend and wrap up to form balcony screening and an open floor to ceiling timber balustrade screening lining the staircase.