This Breezy Australian Bungalow Caters to a Family’s Evolving Needs

When Nest Architects was tasked with creating a home for a family of five in Melbourne’s Northcote suburb, it was clear it wouldn’t be "another cold, two-story, glassy timber box." The property is situated on a leafy street, originally populated with a mix of Victorian double-fronted cottages, modern marvels, and California bungalows. In fact, project architect Jacqueline O’Brien explains the property originally boasted a bungalow that was too restricting, forcing the team to start from scratch. 

"The clients approached the new build idea tentatively, not wanting to detract from the charming character of their streetscape," she says. 

For a space that paired nicely with the rest of the neighborhood, the architects drew inspiration from their clients’ childhood homes and favorite vacation spots. Palm Springs minimalism, California-style bungalows, and Australia’s popular Queenslander buildings deftly joined together to create a warm, inviting home. 

A house cannot become a home without its residences, and the Northcote house places family first. Spanning two floors, the 2,900-square-foot home is livable and inviting for a dynamic, evolving family. 

"Key to this home is an intricate floor plan premised on familial relationships," O’Brien says. "Partner to partner, parents to children, siblings to one another, and the family to their community and neighbors." 

The master bedroom on the top floor creates a private oasis for the parents to retreat to after a long day with a generous, private balcony attached. Downstairs lies another private bedroom and two additional spaces with a divider, so the children can have their privacy when they’re teenagers. An outdoor decked corridor hugs the perimeter of the home, becoming a standout feature of the property and a subtle way for the parents to keep an eye on their three kids. 

But while the space draws inspiration from the California coast, the architects brought the project back to Australia with locally sourced materials. 

"The basis of a good house, [which] stands the test of time for us, is a simple palette contingent on the use of good-quality, robust materials," O’Brien says. "When you have that neutrality and softness, the home becomes a backdrop that allows all the other items and furnishings to speak." 

The timber floor is recycled local hardwood Victorian Ash, where the tones vary from butter yellow to soft pink, while the caramel-tinted marble in the kitchen and dining room is local to Queensland. Rounding out the home are pieces from local design stores like Pop and Scott as well as Douglas and Bec. 

Though the house is designed to suit the family’s ever-changing needs, it also welcomes guests with open arms. Many Australian homes focus on the backyard, but the property’s design encourages guests to come in through the back door and experience the home as if they lived there. 

"It doesn’t turn its back to the street, but invites neighbors and friends in," O’Brien shares. "The single point of this home isn’t a showpiece for the clients to retreat and play house. This house is rambling and inviting and welcomes a connection to the street and their backyard equally." 

Shop the Look

More by Nest Architects: An Australian Renovation Gives New Life to Midcentury Style

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Nest Architects / @nestarchi

Builder/General Contractor: TCM Building Group

Structural Engineer: Bradley Moran 

Landscape Design: Phillip Withers Landscape Design

Lighting Design: Nest Architects

Interior Design: Nest Architects 

Cabinetry Design/Installation: Nest Architects and TCM Building Group 

Photography: Tom Blachford 

Styling: Ruby Welsby