Shaped for multigenerational living, Thomas responds to the evolving needs of its inhabitants. Located in Melbourne’s Kew, the aim was to sensitively reflect and readapt modes of kinship while honouring our clients’ values and heritage. The curved language guides the eye and body through the home to create a seamless dialogue between the built and natural environment. At the centre, was the concept of ‘place’ as synonymous with change and flexibility. Through craftsmanship, careful considerations were made to make the home agile and spatially evolving.

Adaptable spatial planning aims to accommodate multiple, intersecting programs. The central core anchors the design, linking two wings, one for private living and the other for communal spaces. Spaces are conceived to nurture relationships—within the family, among friends, and community. A bar, cinema, and wellness spaces afford different opportunities for a changing family and their network.
A restrained colour and material palette creates a series of frames within the home, while interstitial zones bring the exterior inside and stretch the interior out. As you move below the ground plane, the material scheme shifts to richer, darker hues within the basement. Stone and ceramic accents introduce further decadence to encourage full atmospheric immersion to zones like the bar, cellar, gym, and cinema. Boundaries are made porous through devices like transparent portals, in addition to curved forms with their potential for flow, connection and wayfinding. Temporal details of light, shadow, and the sensorial qualities of air, temperature and sound, were valued and taken into consideration during the design process.

Multi-generational living enhances the longevity of a home by prioritizing flexibility, durability, and sustainability. Designed for different lifespans, passive solar strategies, cross-ventilation, and rainwater harvesting aim to further enhance the home’s efficiency and minimise environmental impact. The location of both the front and side set back facilitated the maintenance of existing trees that were important to the client and neighbouring homes. The main entry was relocated to the south side to ensure these needs were met and that important landmarks were saved and celebrated. This informed the configuration of the interior and furthered the connection between the inside, and outside.

Bespoke details, high level materials and craftsmanship are integrated throughout the home. A key example is the external form work of the mushroom profile columns and external curved walls. All of which were poured on site, and set within custom manufactured moulds. Each aspect of the design and build revolved around longevity; to build endurance within the home and by extension the family.