ants nest
Ants Nest is a new home located on an inner suburban block in Melbourne that has been in the family for over 60 years. The original house was purchased by the parents of two daughters who continue to live at the same address of their childhood. A sloping property with outlook into a landscape reserve at the rear, the site is conspicuous for a huge oak tree planted in the corner of the property by the father of the current owners. This is another example of a house that doesn’t conform to the conventions of the nuclear family. Owned by two sisters with independent careers, interests and aspirations, the house reflects its occupants through a nested arrangement of two pavilions which sit beneath a larger articulated roof canopy.
The pavilions each contain bedroom and associated ensuite with a studio work space over. Bridging these individualised areas is a kitchenette at the upper level and larger kitchen and laundry at the lower level. Most importantly, the house is carefully positioned to take full advantage of the aspect to the rear of the property with a long uninterrupted window aligning with the established oak tree. Although a sloping site, the house also ingeniously sited to allow for at-grade access to both levels of the building through a series of ramps through the garden. A secondary independent entry at the front of the house accommodates favored nieces and nephews an opportunity to stay long-term as guests.
Project Team: Andrew Simpson, Simona Falvo, Andrew Devine, Danielle Mileo
Completed: 2019
Builder: Overend Constructions
Photography: Shannon McGrath