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A Melbourne House That Hides an Underground Oasis for Adults

03.09.23 | By
A Melbourne House That Hides an Underground Oasis for Adults

When an adjacent property went up for sale next to a young family of five, they bought it in order to create their dream Hideaway House. They hired Cera Stribley who utilized the excavated lot to design an underground living space that could house everything an adult could dream of, including an indoor pool, bar and lounge, gold room, and gym. The original home’s basement has been converted into a new guest suite and connects the house to the new underground space.

closeup exterior view of modern house with concrete and black wood details

closeup exterior view of modern house with concrete and black wood details

closeup exterior view of modern house with concrete and black wood details

modern indoor swimming pool with wall of windows

In order to maintain privacy in the subterranean space while bringing in natural light, a tall wall is spaced far enough away to allow light to filter down through the windows. A planter box adds nature to help soften surrounding hard surfaces. Whether lounging by the pool or swimming laps, the greenery makes one feel connected to nature.

modern indoor swimming pool with wall of windows

interior hallway view with chair at far end

interior view in modern living space looking through glass to indoor pool

Behind another wall of glass windows is a sitting area and bar, both of which benefit from the plants and natural light.

modern interior living space with side view of bar

modern interior living space with of bar with blue stool

A glass-fronted wine cellar lives behind the massive marble bar. Blue leather bar stools complement the blue Cassina chairs and rug featured in the seating area.

modern living room interior looking out to indoor swimming pool

modern living room interior looking out to indoor swimming pool

modern living room interior

Modern dining room looking out through kitchen to open floor-to-ceiling windows

In addition to the original basement’s transformation, the ground floor of the Hideaway House has been reconfigured to seamlessly join the backyard, which includes a tennis court.

Modern dining room looking out through kitchen to open floor-to-ceiling windows

Paola Navone brass pendants hang above the dining table, which is rounded out with Mies van der Rohe’s cantilevered chairs.

modern interior of living space and dining room with green yard beyond

closeup of modern interior with black chair and minimalist bookcasae

modern living room interior with black piano and minimalist bookshelves

modern living room sitting space interior

The design purposefully disguises all TVs in order to minimize the family’s screen time.

closeup angled view of concrete fireplace

interior view of modern bathroom with sleek oval column sink

angled view of modern bedroom with brown bedding a blue wall treatment

tight shot of modern living room looking at grey chair and wooden storage unit

modern bathroom made from grey marbles

modern bathroom made from grey marbles

modern bathroom looking at built-in marble sink

Architecture & Interior Design by Cera Stribley.
Landscape Design by Eckersley Garden Architecture.
Styling by Jess Kneebone.
Photography by Timothy Kaye.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.