For the owners of this contemporary custom-built abode, the location in the outer Melbourne suburb of Templestowe was ideal. Not only was there parkland on the other side of the road, the Yarra River was close by, making this a lovely natural setting for a forever family home. Moreover, it was close to schools and amenities, which was perfect for this professional couple and their two teenage children.

The couple turned to Busby Homes to design and build their home. Having driven past the Busby Homes Design Centre in Fairfield on multiple occasions, when they started to think about building a custom home they made an appointment to sit down and have a conversation with one of Busby Homes’ design consultants.

“They wanted a practical home design to suit their busy lifestyle and that of their children, but also something that reflected the Mid-Century Modern style that they so loved,” explains Anthony Jackson, General Manager of Busby Homes. “Our design team listened to their needs and ideas for how they wanted to live, the architectural style they wanted to express and the materials they were interested in. We then developed a design brief that encompassed the size and type of spaces they wanted and how they wanted each area to feel, and we did this while carefully considering their budget.”

This beautiful two-storey home offers everything the family dreamed of: spacious open-plan living, an informal dining area, a bespoke kitchen, floor-to-ceiling windows, an easy flow between interior spaces and seamless indoor-outdoor connections. And there are many inspired inclusions, such as the clever three-way main bathroom that gives access to two rooms as well as the hallway.

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Adds Anthony, “The Mid-Century Modern-inspired design embraces and works with the parkland across the road and the nearby Yarra River. The colour palette and materials were carefully selected to complement the natural environment and suit the tastes of the family. What’s more, the roofline over the floating deck creates a welcoming entry while clerestory windows are designed to create a natural flow of light into the home.

“One standout example of how we have embraced the natural is the rock wall on the facade of the home which we have linked to the main internal living areas. We also established great connections between the inside living areas and the outside living areas.”

Inside, the home abounds with special features and design elements. These range from the welcoming entry and the abundance of large windows and doors that invite the outside in, to the use of wood in the kitchen that references the timber-lined ceiling of the portico at the front of the home.

The build did present quite a few challenges, but these were all expertly resolved. “This site had both a flood level overlay and a bushfire zone overlay. Also, the clients wanted to have large windows even though there were significant issues with the property overlooking neighbouring properties,” explains Anthony.

“The Busby design team collaborated with the clients to achieve a design that met their aesthetic needs while also meeting the overlay restrictions. In fact, we were able to create a home that has exceeded expectations.”