This home has been designed around the idea of the architecture and landscape being in constant dialogue, reflecting the clients’ shared appreciation for nature as a place of connection — with themselves, each other, and the people they welcome into their lives. This home goes beyond simply blending into its surroundings; it celebrates the natural landscape, opening inwards to a central courtyard to create a sanctuary where nature is the focal point.
Location & Brief
Surrey Hills, Victoria
3-4 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 1 Living
Scope of Works
Architectural design
Build
Partners
Interior Design
Kiriah Shead
Builders
Martin Builders
Photography
Marnie Hawson
Styling & Art
Hannah Nowlan
Interior Design
St Tique Studio
Built with Martin Builders, ELM reflects the precision and quality of a trusted construction partnership.
Luxury here is quiet and custom, expressed through crafted materials and a seamless relationship with nature.
Design: architecture & landscape in constant dialogue
This approach to design the clients’ shared appreciation for nature as a place of connection - with themselves, each other, and the people they welcome into their lives. This home goes beyond simply blending into its surroundings; it celebrates the natural landscape, opening inwards to a central courtyard to create a sanctuary where nature is the focal point. The home integrates sustainable features to minimise environmental impact while enhancing everyday life. This includes a 17,000L rainwater storage system, allowing the household to capture and store rainwater for daily needs such as toilet flushing, washing machine use & gardening to reduce the home’s reliance on external water resources. The home utilises a 10.88kW solar system paired with an 11kW battery which dramatically reduces its carbon footprint by capturing and storing energy from the sun instead of relying on the carbon-reliant energy grid.
Solar power, battery storage and rainwater harvesting allow ELM to operate with a smaller footprint and greater self-sufficiency.
Beautiful interior palette curated by the talented St Tique Studio on our ELM Residence inspired by our clients personal pieces
ELM utilises a 10.88kW solar system paired with an 11kW battery which dramatically reduces its carbon footprint by capturing and storing energy from the sun instead of relying on the carbon-reliant energy grid.
Seamless Indoor - Outdoor Living
Large sliding doors extend the kitchen and living spaces onto a generous deck, creating a natural flow for entertaining and everyday connection with the outdoors.
Homeowner
ELM
impact over its lifetime
Measured by auditing tool, eTool
20,719,894
balloons of co2 gas removed from the atmosphere
3,354
Trees planted
75
the amount of zero energy Australian homes for a year
122
number of cars taken off the road
As a renovation project to an existing heritage home, it can sometimes be challenging to reach our carbon reduction targets. The existing house had a low energy rating due to lack of insulation and high performance glazing, while also being powered by a gas hot water system and heated by a gas-powered hydronic system.
