House of mystery

Sometimes the most rewarding homesare those that reveal their secrets slowly.

Designer Brian Stacey of Fasham Johnson has created a show home with a front elevation that turns its back on the road.

"This was a difficult site a small triangle of land disappears to almost nothing at the rear, with one broad boundary facing a noisy road and the other facing the westerly sun," he says.

Stacey oriented the house so that the living areas are not exposed to traffic. Tall, thin window panels and double glazing ensure the entrance is soundproofed and protected from the urban elements.

The monolithic facade, punctuated by garage and front doors painted to resemble rusty metal, adds to the sense of secrecy.

Once you enter the home, you step into a wide lobby that leads to a light-filled, open-plan living area with 3.6m-high ceilings and clerestory windows. The living and dining area opens to a large merbau timber deck, positioned to maximise views of a 50-year-old park and creek.

"Clerestory windows wrap all the way round the rear of the home, allowing maximum daylight in. It's like a large lantern but you can't see anything of this from the road," he says.

It's this element of surprise that makes this Fasham's most visited show home, says Stacey.

"From the road, the house looks like a mysterious fortress. Yet looking at the home from the park, you could be on a vineyard the atmosphere becomes open and carefree," he says.

The home's other surprise is the way Stacey has planned the interior.

"I designed this show home with two separate living zones, for a significant new type of household parents and their adult child still at home, and showing no sign of leaving any time soon," he says. "It also meets the demand for a smaller, low-maintenance, energy-saving house."

For more information, contact Fasham Johnson, 1173 High Street, Armadale 3143, Vic, phone 9822 9000. Email: admin@fasham-johnson.com.au, or visit the website: www.fasham.com.au.

Story by: Trendsideas