Gordon Avenue — Elwood

Drawing cues from surrounding residences and existing typology, the project reinterprets the classic pitch of neighbouring roofs with a crisp, symmetrical silhouette, grounding the project among its brick and weatherboard counterparts. Further echoing its locale, Gordon Avenue reinterprets classic 1970’s cream brick with a light-toned, handmade brick, softening and bedding its appearance into the streetscape and leaning gently into the bayside locale.

Adding further nuance to the facade, a drought-tolerant suspended garden introduces texture and seasonal dynamism. From the street, it reads like a living veil, softening the crisp lines of the architecture.

Internally, the homes establish a muted rhythm of space, light and material. In contrast to the angular exterior, planning is open and subtly curvilinear, prioritising ease of movement with a gentle sense of enclosure. Corners dissolve into softly curved walls at junctions, creating visual breathing room and steering away from overly rigid geometries.

Threading together three levels, the clean lines of the staircase further express the sense of vertical openness hinted at in the facade, while acting as a lightwell to draw borrowed daylight into the core of the homes. Natural light becomes both a material and a motif as living, dining and kitchen areas are oriented due north, floodlit all day, while corner stacker doors open to a plunge pool and private courtyard. Above, the rooftop sanctuary features trailing planting, inviting long evenings and coastal breezes, a space for relaxing and entertaining alike.

The interiors are underscored by a hushed palette of natural limestone, light-toned timber and wool carpet, imbuing the home with an enduring, tactile warmth. Japanese handmade tiles and delicately applied Venetian plaster lend refinement and an artisanal touch to the kitchen and ensuite. Restraint is evident throughout: walls are painted in a shade of white selected specifically for its subdued warm undertones, which highlight and amplify the nuance of each material and texture choice.

This project beautifully delivers a pair of highly considered homes which each create an environment that gently reframes daily life. Bridging the familiarity of established neighbourhood fabric and the needs of contemporary residents, the homes at once draw from, and add to the existing texture and richness of Elwood.