Bruce Street | MUIR Architecture

Bruce Street | MUIR Architecture | Photographer: Peter Bennetts

2026 National Architecture Awards Program

Bruce Street | MUIR Architecture

Traditional Land Owners

Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong people.

Year
2026
Chapter

Victoria

Category
Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
Builder
Frank (Victoria) Pty Ltd + Meld Built Pty Ltd
Photographer
Peter Bennetts
Media summary

The steep sloping site backs onto the reserve.

The house has been designed with three fronts around a layered landscape that provides private access and generous public views beyond.

A front garden that folds into the street, unfenced allowing conversation to be had between street and the home, street and garden. 

Secure but engaged with the landscape, a series of courtyards and vistas were organised within the floor plan providing a connection to landscape and cross ventilation.

A double height corridor allows for the solar panels to be contained within the parapet and highlight windows to the south. The sloping roof falling away defines an interior.

The ‘open plan’ is divided by waist height edges. The lower section of walls lined with veneer panelling, joinery and brick work providing a robust finish for living. The white carved ceiling dances around the pragmatics of the structure and roof line.

When viewed from the street, the house is simple and elegant. The courtyard, glimpsed from outside, gives a cool lushness to the entry and master bedroom. On entry, the corridor ceiling soars and the panorama of the treed reserve is glimpsed, then revealed. The living area is generous, with ceiling heights that both soar and encompass. The expanse of trees is serene and surprisingly revealed through clerestory windows, along with the sky. Windows throughout create play of light and shade and delightful circulation of air. Downstairs the view of the garden is intimate and peaceful. The house is a joy. 

Project Practice Team

Alessandro Castiglioni, Graduate of Architecture
Amy Muir, Director
Sally-Anne Ciantar, Architecture Student
Toby McElwaine, Graduate of Architecture
Zoe Stokes, Senior Designer

Project Consultant and Construction Team

Clive Steele Partners, Structural Engineer
BSGM, Building Surveryor
Tilmax Pty Ltd Building Solutions, ESD Consultant
Earth Core Landscapes + Plenty of Green, Landscape Consultant

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