An Aging Couple Carve Out a Sanctuary in the Suburbs of Melbourne

"As people age, the home can become more of an impediment than a comfort," says Paul Porjazoski, founder of Bent Architecture. Over the years, he and his team have taken a special interest in changing that. "If we’re able to create homes in a manner that will allow people to live more independently well into their senior years, we can maintain their sense of dignity," he says.

His latest endeavor is this seaside home in the Melbourne suburb of Mount Eliza with clients John and Ann. The couple were previously living on a heavily-wooded, sloping site in the the hills there, but getting on in years, they knew that proximity to amenities like a pharmacy, grocery store, and post office would be increasingly important. So they approached Bent about designing a compact, accessible, and energy-efficient home closer to town that would support them as they age.

As avid gardeners and environmentalists, having a lush yard was paramount. The flat site made it idyllic for mobility, but since it was surrounded by neighbors, Bent had to find a way to make the home and yard feel private. "We positioned the living zone in the center, ensuring it had good orientation and enough space around its perimeter for substantial vegetation," says Porjazoski. "This created a sense of living amongst plentiful greenery."

Dense surrounding vegetation designed by Ann makes the home feel far away from its suburban surroundings. She says poetically, "The large window in the lounge frames a grassy woodland where the setting sun bathes indigenous grasses and trees in iridescence."

Unlike other houses on the street, John and Ann’s has no front fence. Rather, the vegetation rambles outward. "For us, the home breaks down the barrier between traditional habitation and the natural world," says Ann. Some of their favorite ferns brought from their previous residence now surround the courtyard at the rear.

To maximize energy efficiency, Bent equipped the house with a 43,000-liter water tank and an expansive photovoltaic array and battery storage system. An eco-friendly brick alternative called Timbercrete was used externally while inside, polished concrete floors eliminate trip hazards.

The home is free of steps or level changes and features French doors wide enough for wheelchair access. Visiting friends and family find refuge in the additional bedroom and sunlit living space tucked upstairs.

"I’m most proud of the fact that we created a house where John and Ann were so happy," Porjazoski says, noting that John has sadly since passed. "We take great solace knowing that Ann remains living in her house surrounded by her beloved garden."

More from Bent Architecture:

1960s Melbourne Home Gets a Summery Extension Inspired by Caravan Tents

A Family Home in Australia Features a Playful Version of the Classic Pitched Roof

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Bent Architecture / @bentarchitecture

Builder/General Contractor: Bede Debenham

Structural Engineer: MTO Engineers

Landscape Design: Ann Scholes (client)

Interior Design: Bent Architecture