North Warrandyte House

by Alexandra Buchanan Architecture

Alexandra Buchanan Architecture create a home heavily inspired by the iconic Australian bushland that surrounds it – a testament the modern rural Victorian design.

This bold contemporary home by Alexandra Buchanan Architecture perches high above the Yarra River at North Warrandyte on a raised plateau nestled amongst dense native bushland.The young design conscious family wanted to create a long term home for contemporary country family living. For graphic design clients the aesthetic was always important but carefully balanced with aspect and privacy, light and ventilation, and the spatial balance of a business based at home, set against family and entertaining life.

View corridors and solar orientation directly influenced the building’s position and arrangement. Twin butterfly roofs were developed by the Alexandra Buchanan Architecture team in order to enable sailing eaves to frame views of the stunning tree canopy. The roofs also offered a sustainable lighting solution by encouraging sunlight to illuminate interior spaces, a process that was accentuated through high level glazing. A split form allows two ‘wings’ of the dwelling to be sited independently so that views, privacy and outdoor access can be enjoyed unimpeded.

“We built our dream home along the Yarra River. It was a challenging project from the very beginning.”

Combining stone and timber with contemporary construction materials including glass and steel the dwelling takes its cues from the material character of the rocky and forested surrounds. Naturally finished stone walls bring tactility and warmth to the interior and allow the exterior of the building to gently recede into the bushland setting.

“Alexandra Buchanan Architecture turned the seemingly impossible into positive outcomes which benefited the design as a whole.”

Due to site constraints early concepts and preconceptions about house form were challenged. Far from diminishing the design process however, the close collaboration forged between Architect and Client to overcome the issues has enhanced and enriched the initial brief and the outcome is in part testament to the relationship formed through that process.

“We now have a beautiful home & life in the Victorian bushland with our two young children. It’s everything we could have dreamed of!”

The highly resolved series of spaces are textural, rich and highly crafted. Interrogation of each buildings detail occurred collaboratively making the North Warrandyte house by Alexandra Buchanan Architecture a truly rewarding collaborative process between all parties involved.

The project was also heavily focused upon the strong practice passive environmental solutions inherent to the architectural concept. Locally sourced materials were used throughout, rather than employing a range of ‘bolt on’ sustainable technologies.

Alexandra Buchanan Architecture create a home heavily inspired by the iconic Australian bushland that surrounds it – a testament the modern rural Victorian design.

This bold contemporary home by Alexandra Buchanan Architecture perches high above the Yarra River at North Warrandyte on a raised plateau nestled amongst dense native bushland.The young design conscious family wanted to create a long term home for contemporary country family living. For graphic design clients the aesthetic was always important but carefully balanced with aspect and privacy, light and ventilation, and the spatial balance of a business based at home, set against family and entertaining life.

View corridors and solar orientation directly influenced the building’s position and arrangement. Twin butterfly roofs were developed by the Alexandra Buchanan Architecture team in order to enable sailing eaves to frame views of the stunning tree canopy. The roofs also offered a sustainable lighting solution by encouraging sunlight to illuminate interior spaces, a process that was accentuated through high level glazing. A split form allows two ‘wings’ of the dwelling to be sited independently so that views, privacy and outdoor access can be enjoyed unimpeded.

“We built our dream home along the Yarra River. It was a challenging project from the very beginning.”

Combining stone and timber with contemporary construction materials including glass and steel the dwelling takes its cues from the material character of the rocky and forested surrounds. Naturally finished stone walls bring tactility and warmth to the interior and allow the exterior of the building to gently recede into the bushland setting.

“Alexandra Buchanan Architecture turned the seemingly impossible into positive outcomes which benefited the design as a whole.”

Due to site constraints early concepts and preconceptions about house form were challenged. Far from diminishing the design process however, the close collaboration forged between Architect and Client to overcome the issues has enhanced and enriched the initial brief and the outcome is in part testament to the relationship formed through that process.

“We now have a beautiful home & life in the Victorian bushland with our two young children. It’s everything we could have dreamed of!”

The highly resolved series of spaces are textural, rich and highly crafted. Interrogation of each buildings detail occurred collaboratively making the North Warrandyte house by Alexandra Buchanan Architecture a truly rewarding collaborative process between all parties involved.

The project was also heavily focused upon the strong practice passive environmental solutions inherent to the architectural concept. Locally sourced materials were used throughout, rather than employing a range of ‘bolt on’ sustainable technologies.