Boon Wurrung/Bunurong and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung
Victoria
First published in Belle Magazine (1978), the Borland Crossman House is a repair and adaptive restoration of a Kevin Borland modernist gem in Glen Iris. WOWOWA reimagined this 1970s semi-brutalist brick and timber residence by balancing carbon-reductive rigor with architectural whimsy. The project serves as an exemplar of heritage and sustainability, carefully disassembling outdated elements and stitching them back together to suit contemporary family life.
The design centers on an iconic double-height, fern-filled atrium protected by a slatted shade structure. Prioritizing circularity, the clients opted for painstaking restoration over replacement; notably, a faceted window suite was shifted just 800mm to accommodate a dining table. The palette is a vibrant fusion of primary tones, dusty mustard, and mission brown, complemented by crane wallpaper. This aesthetic nods to the Robin Boyd Japanese era, cementing the home’s place within a uniquely Australian modernist paradigm.
"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."