Harry House – endearingly named after a pet dog – is a true example of spatial efficiency meets cosy comfort. The owners wanted Melbourne architecture firm Archier to couple their Japanese heritage with a highly livable and functional space for their three boys. Harry House was to embody the natural surroundings of the Coburg home while making the most of the tight-knit space their original weatherboard home was built on and it does so with spectacular success.

Archier took the time to understand how the owners lived as a family, while also taking into consideration how the house would support their changing needs. After a deep analysis of the site, they proposed a two-storey addition that wonderfully preserves the space in the backyard for the rich, foliage-heavy garden.

Once you set foot in the earthy, sleek space, it’s like being transported to a minimalist holiday cabin out in the Japanese countryside. Harry House uses an abundance of textured, timeless materials like blonde timber, dark concrete, and plenty of floor-to-wall glass windows overlooking the oasis of fig trees and native Australia flora outside. The result is a delicate contrast of the warmth of a family home coupled with the sort of coolness that could easily double the space as an art gallery.  

Every detail has been executed with a sense of refinement and charm. Take the pair of double-height voids that create continuity and connection between the floors of the home. Netting hammocks create a fun play space for the kids, while still ensuring the master bedroom remains the parents’ sleepy oasis tucked away at the upper floor of the home. We particularly loved the use of a locally-crafted Lindsey Wherrett glazed ceramic basin that makes the master bedroom that much more elegant. 

Designer: Archier

Landscape Design: Philip Withers

Photographer: Peter Bennetts

Builder: CBD Contracting