The Compound House by March Studio

Inciting intrigue seven years after its completion, March Studio’s The Compound House is a masterful exercise in balancing form, function and aesthetics.

Completed in 2017, The Compound House is, as director Rodney Eggleston says, “not for conservatives”. The dwelling in Melbourne delves into an exploration of light and shadow, living amid adventurous geometry, balancing between the rational and instinctual, and toeing the line between order and chaos.

Completed in 2017, The Compound House is, as director Rodney Eggleston says, “not for conservatives”.

The Compound House is uniquely dynamic in its make-up. It deftly responds to its site and surrounds with its industrial concept yet inspires the imagination of passers-by with its bold, bunker-like exterior.

Executed with a balance of openness and industrial elements, the design was born from the wishes of the clients. As Rodney explains, “the clients expressed a desire for a home that defied the enclosed and fortress-like structures prevalent in Brighton.” The Compound House integrates a warehouse-like style into a residential footprint.

Calling for a two-storey residence on a narrow site, the brief posed a challenge for the team. In response to planning laws, March Studio sunk the structure one metre into the earth, creating a compound-like effect, inspiring the project’s name. Observing the existing elevation of homes on the street, The Compound House – while bold in its appearance – is considerate of the neighbouring buildings and inhabitants. Further to the size and scope of the structure, the team chose to not include a fence between the street and the home’s facade. In this act of rebellion, the home welcomes observers with an open, grassy frontage, whereas surrounding homes are concealed behind tall fences.

Rodney describes the design process for The Compound House as “a dynamic journey filled with experimentation and discovery”. The home was a collaborative project, which allowed for creative exploration and brainstorming at every stage – a kind of flexibility that led the team to create a house that was truly unique for the individuals involved. “The integration of infrastructural elements, such as the embankment batter, concrete retaining walls, triangulated trusses and copper ribbons, was a result of shared voices that evolved organically during the design process,” adds Rodney.

Executed with a balance of openness and industrial elements, the design was born from the wishes of the clients.

The home is just as much a reflection of the clients as it is of March Studio. Known for an ingenuity when it comes to materials, a love for subverting norms and creating joyful and unique projects, the team was masterful in their execution of The Compound House. Recalling the process of creating the home, Rodney says, “the design reflects our belief in redefining opulent living through real and honest forms of architecture.” A sentiment that is clearly exemplified in the end result.

Achieving a harmonious balance between function, aesthetics and atmosphere was of paramount consideration. “The design not only serves functional purposes but also evokes specific moods through the various spaces, be they timber-lined, dark and buried or bright and open,” says Rodney. As one moves through the home, this becomes apparent. The bright and open spaces include the kitchen, dining and living areas, whereas the bedrooms, wrapped in timber, are injected with warmth and tranquillity.

Rodney describes the design process for The Compound House as “a dynamic journey filled with experimentation and discovery”.

The interaction between industrial elements in a setting like this contributes to an atmosphere more akin to a warehouse conversion rather than a home. This results in the house feeling like it was built for a greater purpose and ensures that “the residence stands as a testament to the seamless integration of form and function.”

Atop the concrete base and in-situ walls anchoring the building to the site, oversized steel trusses are purposely placed. This choice is one that celebrates steel and metals as materials of strength and beauty while highlighting their versatility and introducing the idea of having them in residential environments.

Known for an ingenuity when it comes to materials, a love for subverting norms and creating joyful and unique projects, the team was masterful in their execution of The Compound House.

Sitting atop these trusses, appearing to float above the ground, the second floor is a rectangular box dressed in a facade constructed of copper screening – an element that serves both functional and aesthetic purposes. Seen below this facade and continuing to the rear, the landscape contains angular concrete planes softened by native plants and grasses. To one side of the home, a ramp leads to a pavilion-like, six-car garage, and to the other, the pedestrian entry is marked by off-form concrete walls.

Once inside, the home becomes a welcoming oasis of natural light, open spaces and daringly applied materials. Polished concrete flooring and timber-clad walls and ceilings are richly accompanied by steel in a dwelling that emphasises light and space. The kitchen, dining and living areas are masterful feats of indoor-outdoor living, opening to the landscape through a fully glazed rear facade.

The interaction between industrial elements in a setting like this contributes to an atmosphere more akin to a warehouse conversion rather than a home.

Stepping outside, the steel trusses protrude past the walls of the home to form a pergola structure. The pool, framed by vegetation and contained in concrete, is a natural evolution of both the home and landscape. Reflecting on the collaborative process, Rodney says, “looking back, it serves as a reminder of the power of innovation and the beauty that can be achieved when pushing the boundaries of design. We are proud to have contributed a unique and enduring piece to the architectural landscape of Brighton.”

Nearly a decade after its completion, the home is still subverting perception and garnering attention for its bold design. Rodney agrees, saying, “the enduring appeal of The Compound House lies in its departure from traditional norms and its ability to redefine suburban living.” It is the unexpected nature and air of intrigue that captures the attention of onlookers, sparking their imagination as to what could be behind the facade of the prominent structure. The Compound House is a daring and timeless dwelling that serves as a tribute to the beauty, strength and versatility of metal, concrete and industrial architecture.

Architecture by March Studio. Build by CBD Contracting. Landscape by COS Design. Engineering by Co-Struct.