Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation
Victoria
A House to Gather is a project designed for the ultimate hosts. The young couple are renowned for their generous hospitality, opening up their home multiple times a week for everything from a quick aperitif to an expertly planned long luncheon. On a modest site and budget, this extension aims to match their generosity by giving them a new space to be with friends and family.
The design concept centred on the many ways that the owners share meals with each other and their guests. The design needed to comfortably accommodate between 2-30 people in the dining space, starting with a weeknight meal shared between them, expanding to an intimate dinner party, to a festive long lunch. The kitchen and dining space are combined into a large central room to enable connection between the owners and their guests while they are preparing food.
As a highly social couple who love hosting, our home has transformed from a dark and cramped 1913 Federation Worker’s Cottage to light-filled, spacious, colourful and beautifully finished home. Not only did the design exceed the essential elements of our brief which were more light, space and storage, but Sibling offered countless brilliant design suggestions that have elevated the space far beyond our wildest dreams. One of our favourite ideas was giving the living space the warm feeling of a bar which has been appreciated by many comfortable dinner guests since we moved into the home in late December 2024.
Nicholas Braun, Design Architect
Lauren Crockett, Project Architect
Hannah Lim, Graduate of Architecture
Albany Flanagan, Student of Architecture
Flowerspike, Landscape Consultant
Panthom, Structural Engineer
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
