Seed House

New Build, Rebirth by Fire: A Bold Architectural Statement Inspired by Nature

Built on a greenfield site, within an established north Melbourne suburb, on the remains of a family home that burnt down, this remarkable house draws inspiration from the local endangered grasses and their cycle of rebirth, heavily influenced by fire. With a resolute desire to make their mark in the property market and test their mettle as owner-builders, a young couple embarked on this ambitious project.

This architecturally unique design stands as a testament to the resilience and regenerative power of nature. Through the dedication and talent of a young couple and their skilled carpentry background, a sustainable and visually striking dwelling has emerged from the ashes. This house not only embodies their dreams and aspirations but also pays homage to the local community and its endangered ecosystem. The marriage of contemporary design elements and natural inspiration has resulted in a dwelling that is both visually captivating and deeply rooted in its surroundings.

“Building your own house is a primal urge, one of those universal genetic drives like the need to provide for your family.” - Kevin McCloud

A carpenter and aspiring builder, Lucas, and his partner embarked on this project with unwavering determination. Their shared love for architecture and design, coupled with Lucas's skillset, became the driving force behind the creation of this exceptional dwelling. Determined to leave a lasting mark, they aimed to leverage their talents and invest in a property that reflected their passion and commitment. Their journey showcases the transformative power of perseverance and the unyielding pursuit of dreams.
The Golden Sun Moth, native to the local Craigieburn grasslands is a critically endangered species dependent on the Wallaby Grass seed. Seasons and fire bind this pair of organisms into a cycle to be celebrated as uniquely Australian, uniquely Craigieburn. The forms and materials of these designs are inspired by this context.
The original house had burnt down the year before the client bought the property. The tragedy of the previous owners losing their home of 30 years and the thought that this then opened up an opportunity for a first home-owner to make a start in an already very established area inspired thoughts of regeneration by fire.
Taking inspiration from local endangered grasses and their cycle of rebirth and the destruction of the previous home by fire, this house makes a bold statement.
Reclaimed and upcycled timber featuring heavily throughout, lending a beautiful warmth and texture to this striking contemporary home.
Natural materials, which age well, are articulated with minimalist black metal detailing. The architectural forms are bold and sculptural with carefully considered proportions and openings. The roof forms are simple and expressed, reflecting popular modern tastes with visually integrated balconies and garages. Soft curves hark back to the romanticised Art-deco era buildings of metropolitan Melbourne as well as the elliptical arcs found in nature.
The clean lines of the interior - accented by the repeating slim black linear details - bring a fresh and contemporary living area with extensive views over the surrounding bushlands.
2 Bedrooms
Greenfield Site
General Residential Zone & Subdivision
Completed 2020
Photography 2022 - Phil Ng
Stylist - Chiara Hunwick
Craigieburn, Melbourne
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Land
Hume City Council

Modern kitchen with white cabinets, black faucet, and a wooden table with a fruit bowl. Two gray barstools are at the counter, and a blurred person is moving in the background.

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Modern black and wood house with geometric design and surrounding trees and plants.

Modern building with black and brown wood paneling, single small window, surrounded by trees, against a blue sky with clouds.

Modern two-story house with wooden exterior partially hidden by trees, surrounded by greenery and a clear sky.

Modern house with wooden exterior and large window against blue sky with clouds.

Outdoor patio with a modern black wire chair, a small round table holding a white teapot and mug, a patterned blanket on the chair, surrounded by green foliage.

Close-up of a wooden wall and black brick base outdoors

Outdoor wall light on dark vertical wooden siding

Modern minimalist hallway with a black cabinet, person in motion, decorative plants in vases, framed artwork on a shelf, and a wall-mounted picture, under a skylight.

Modern interior staircase with wooden steps, white walls, and hallway with framed pictures.

Five yellow stars on a white background indicating a five-star rating.

“Onto my second design and build with Audrey now. Her designs and processes are great, thorough and easy going with a result that I wanted. Highly recommend.”

Lucas, Client

Six hand-drawn sketches depicting stages of plant growth, seeds falling to the ground, bushfire passing over, seed pod opening with the heat of the bushfire, and a comparison with the building elevation.

“Regeneration - new life made possible through the destructive power of fire - inspired this design. It’s relevant to this site on several levels.”

Audrey Whisker

Architectural sketch of a modern house with black and wooden exterior siding, large windows, and minimalist design elements, set against a sky background with abstract trees and a pathway in the foreground.

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Modern kitchen and dining area with wooden herringbone floor, round table with fruit bowl, gray chairs, white cabinets, bar stools, black ceiling fan, and potted plants.

Modern kitchen with white cabinets, island counter, black faucet, and wooden dining table with bowls of lemons and oranges.

Modern kitchen with white cabinets, a built-in oven, electric stovetop, and a kettle on the counter. There is a cutting board and a vase with plants. The kitchen opens to a balcony with greenery outside. The floor is wooden, arranged in a herringbone

Modern kitchen with white cabinets, a black faucet on a light countertop island, a white refrigerator, and decorative plants.

Modern kitchen with white cabinets, open drawers, glassware, and dishes, featuring a built-in stovetop and oven, wooden countertop decor, and herringbone patterned wooden floor next to a glass door.

Modern bathroom with glass shower, wooden vanity, potted plants, and black heated towel rack.

Modern living room with blue sectional sofa, large gray area rug, indoor plants, wall-mounted TV, and a brown dog lying on the floor.

Compact living* made liveable through smart layouts and plenty of natural light

*Dog for scale

Experimenting with space.

Customising for our clients.

This hidden bath detail made use of space under the house for a client who rarely has need of a bath but wanted to have one in the house.

Converted from “wet room” style of bathroom this allowed for an additional 800mm of useable space and storage in the room.

Modern kitchen corner with four knives on a magnetic strip and a small potted plant on a speckled countertop.

Outdoor patio with modern wire chair, small side table with white teapot and mug, blanket draped over chair, surrounded by lush greenery.

Interior view of a modern house with a staircase, wooden steps, and green walls. A hallway with framed pictures and a side door is visible on the left. A window allows natural light.

Details you can live with.

Little details make this house infinitely easier to live in. Details that ensure the kitchen bench is adequately lit, the garden is low maintenance, and the flooring is tough enough to survive large dogs.

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