Beaconsfield Hillside Home
New Build, Where Tranquility Meets Sustainability
Situated on the side of a grassy hill, on the edges of Melbourne, this home looks over a wooded valley with a stream winding through the trees.
Inspired by country-style homes and a beacon to guide travellers home, this family home is truly a forever home in the making.
“There was so much time that marvelous summer. Day after day, mist rose from the meadow as the sky lightened and hedges, barns and woods took shape until, at last, the long curving back of the hills lifted away from the Plain. It was a sort of stage-magic.” ― J.L. Carr, A Month in the Country
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A young professional couple with a young daughter fell in love with this property and held on to it for years in an old, dark, fibro house before starting this journey.
An engineer and a GP, the clients passion to create their family’s forever home drove this project.
Inspired by their environment they requested a country-style home - taking inspiration from bold forms, and a nostalgia for sunken living rooms. Their proximity to the bushland they love required additional technical expertise to comply with BAL40 bushfire resistant construction.
The clients have now moved into their new home with their daughter and new son. We wish them all the happiest of memories in their new forever home.
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Situated in the outer Melbourne suburb of Beaconsfield, we wanted to take inspiration from both an indigenous word associated with the area Balla meaning “rest”, and Beaconsfield as "open land near a beacon or signal fire”. These powerful concepts leant themselves beautifully to the idea of home and hearth.
The shape of the home and the use of glazing echoes the idea of a lantern and an indoor and outdoor fireplace is available for warmth and ambiance.
The fireplaces satisfy a primal urge but it is our hope that they won’t need to use them very often. These clients hope to one day cease relying on the grid for power and water. It was important to ensure the roof was oriented for solar panels, plenty of water collection was available, and that the thermal envelope performs well to reduce electricity consumption.
The construction of the design is non-combustible to comply with the BAL 29-40 bushfire requirements. The warm tones of the metal cladding and the integration of natural stone help keep this home feeling warm and inviting.
External materials and textures are brought into the interior in the form of stonework, timber detailing, and mint-green tiles.
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Construction detail:
Solar Power & Batteries
Rainwater Tanks
On-site wastewater treatment
Hydronic heating
Improved energy efficiency with larger wall studs to gain thicker insulation
4 Bedrooms
Greenfield Site (Existing home must be demolished after construction)
Rural Conservation Zone & Designated Bushfire Prone Area
Bushfire Attack Level of 29-40
Builder - Vigor Homes
Photographer - Tatjana Plitt
Furniture - Cosh LivingBeaconsfield, Melbourne
Bunurong Land
Cardinia City Council
Beaconsfield Hillside Home
Featured on Lunchbox Architect
Inspired by this project? Let’s create yours.
“We engaged Whisker Architecture to design our forever home and we are over the moon with the result. We specifically wanted an energy efficient, passive solar home that will serve us from having young children, through their teen years and hopefully into our retirement and empty nesters.
Thank you Whisker Architecture!”
Micaela & Benjamin, Clients
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“We ended up with the additional challenge of a BAL40 fire rating which Audrey and Winnie took in their stride. Our house is beautiful but also comfortable and functional.
Audrey and Winnie took the time to understand our vision and needs as a family and were responsive, friendly and easy to communicate with. They were also happy to liaise in the design and tender stage with our chosen builder which made the build process more efficient.”
Micaela & Benjamin, Clients
“It’s home as a beacon - guiding the family back to warmth, security, and each other.”
— Audrey Whisker
Initial concept sketches are an important part of understanding a project and helping align and consolidate the vision for the design.
Beaconsfield Hillside Home is a contemporary family retreat designed to embrace its elevated setting and sweeping views. Natural stone walls, expansive glazing, and clean-lined architecture ground the home in its rural landscape while giving it a timeless, modern Australian feel.
Inside, the palette balances raw and refined: stone, timber, and dark joinery offset by soft neutrals and abundant natural light. A soaring gabled roofline frames floor-to-ceiling windows, flooding the open-plan living space with light and connecting every room to its hillside surroundings.
The design creates a balance between comfort and elegance, with a generous kitchen and living zone, outdoor entertaining terrace, and a striking stone fireplace as a centrepiece. This home reflects the best of modern hillside living — robust, beautiful, and connected to place.
Render vs Reality
From first concepts to final completion, we pride ourselves on clarity.
These side-by-side comparisons show just how closely our initial design renders align with the built result - a testament to the strength of our communication, coordination, and visualisation tools.
And with each passing year, as rendering technology improves, so too does our ability to present the vision with even greater accuracy and confidence.
Clarity Starts with a Call
Starting a home project can feel overwhelming. You need the right architect—someone who understands your vision, budget, and timeline.
At Whisker Architecture, we guide you through every step:
📌 Dream It – Define your vision and goals
📌 Design It – Create a tailored plan with the Home Masterplan Report
📌 Build It – Bring your project to life with our expert guidance
Let’s start with a quick chat to see if we’re the right fit for your project.
