An Award-Winning House in Melbourne Is Lauded for Its Biophilic Design

Designed by architecture practice Melbourne Design Studios, interior studio The Stylesmiths, and the clients themselves, the Maxwell House is a high-tech eco-friendly home in Melbourne, Australia that has won awards for its biophilic design, including the Best Sustainable Design in Australia (a Design Matters Award) and a National Alliance of Building Designers (NABD) award. Through considerate design decisions, every room in the home has an element of nature, whether it be the floor-to-ceiling windows that allow expansive views into the gardens, the choice of materials that lends a natural warmth or the various planters found throughout the home.

The home is spread across two levels and consists of four bedrooms, two internal courtyards, a pool, a fireplace and large living areas. The home is both colorful and textural, with warm wood creating contrast against the dark stone, terrazzo, brickwork, marble and glazing. Boucle fabrics, hand woven rugs, felt folded cushions, chunky weaves and wallpaper add even more tactility to the home and help to create a luxe yet comfortable environment.

There is a direct dialogue with nature here made possible with the indoor-outdoor style of living. The flow from indoors to outdoors is seamless and the endless natural light, ventilation and sunlight allows the homeowners to relax and experience the changing of the seasons.

Lead designer Silvia Roldan from The Stylesmiths used color to create warm, calming and inviting spaces. Many of the pieces found throughout the home were locally sourced and manufactured in an effort to support home-grown design.

Photos by Fiona Susanto.