GEMBROOK RESIDENCE

Set within the dense, towering canopy of Gembrook’s mountain ash forests, this new three-bedroom residence replaces a modest weatherboard house with a contemporary home tailored to the needs of a growing family. Designed to meet the challenges of a cold, wet, yet beautiful landscape, the project balances resilience with refined simplicity.

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The home is carefully sited on a north-sloping block that descends toward a tranquil lake, with the architecture responding sensitively to both topography and climate. Natural light is welcomed deep into the plan via extensive glazing along the northern façade, while sheltered outdoor spaces offer reprieve from the region’s frequent rainfall. Dual fireplaces are strategically positioned at opposite ends of the house in the main bedroom and living area, ensuring a consistent warmth throughout the long Victorian winters.

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Externally, the building is clad in burnt ironbark, selected for its natural fire resistance, insect deterrence, and durability. The façade’s darkened timber sits quietly among the trees, echoing the textures and tones of the surrounding bush. Internally, a linear hallway runs along the northern edge, connecting the home’s key functions, sleeping, dining, and living, while acting as a thermal buffer and conduit for light. Operable glazing provides flexibility, allowing the home to breathe in summer and insulate in winter.

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The architecture is defined by a quiet symmetry and restrained material palette that roots the home in its landscape without imposition. There is no grand architectural gesture here, only a considered rhythm of space, material, and light that supports daily life and resonates with the natural world outside.

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In essence, this is a home of quiet endurance: robust yet warm, modest yet deeply thoughtful. It offers a place of comfort and connection, an understated retreat nestled within one of Victoria’s most evocative natural settings.