Boon Wurrung/Bunurong and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung
Victoria
First published in Belle Magazine in August 1978, the WOWOWA X BORLAND Crossman House is a restoration and adaptive reimagining of a Kevin Borland modernist gem in Glen Iris, situated on Boon Wurrung/Bunurong and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country.
Designing with the “angel of Borland” on our shoulder, we carefully disassembled the elements that no longer served a contemporary family, stitching them back together in a way that feels both fresh and deeply respectful. Adorned in vibrant primary colours, this project is an exemplar of heritage and sustainability. Through a forensic upgrade of the home’s performance—utilizing largely unseen, regenerative initiatives, we’ve achieved a carbon-reductive, but “ornate to the teeth” success. The result beautifully balances technical rigor with architectural whimsy, honoring the robust legacy of Australian architecture while ensuring the home thrives for another generation.
I work in an Intensive Care Unit which is a stressful environment to be in. There are no white surfaces in the entire house with a focus on warm and bright colours. Materials are natural and cosy, with woolen carpets, brick walls, and timber ceilings. The result is a stark contrast to my work environment, a refuge from the stressful ICU.”
Monique Woodward, Design Architect
Zoe Diacolabrianos, Project Architect
Issy Jooste, Design Architect
Builde, Building Surveyor
R.I. Brown, Engineer
Green Moves, ESD Consultant
MJB Landscape Gardens, Landscape Consultant