Big Small House in Australia

The house THAT in Melbourne (Australia) is a private residence designed by the architectural bureau Austin Maynard Architects. The clients wanted a home for a large family where every member would have their own space. The plot is surrounded by large neighboring buildings, as is common in Australia, where some of the world's largest homes are built. This presents a significant challenge for the country and the city in particular, leading to ecological disasters and cultural barriers within society. Therefore, it was important to create a compact and lightweight structure closely connected with the garden, filled with light and air.

As a result, a residence was created that is nearly twice as small as the surrounding homes but far more comfortable for living in a large city. The homeowners joyfully open their lives to neighbors and spend much time outdoors. At the same time, the residence provides all conditions for privacy. For example, blinds are installed on windows that close from bottom to top—a logical approach that is rarely used. Furthermore, Austin Maynard Architects do not favor open spaces but also avoid fully isolated zones, instead finding a balance through cozy nooks in shared rooms. This allows residents to be alone with themselves while remaining at the center of family life. Such flexible adaptation of spatial zones eliminates the need for numerous separate rooms. Sustainability and eco-friendliness of the project are a pleasant bonus to an already impressive home.

Photos: Kelly Kelly