Orb House in Melbourne, Australia designed by famous Australian architect Bojan Simic. Orb house built with modern and minimalist design Located on a unique site descending rapidly towards the Yarra River and Yarra Bend Golf Course. Inspired by the dwellings of ancient Pompeii, our approach was to create a tranquil introspective living environment based on [...]

Belyea Faigin residence is located between Ballard and Phinney Ridge. The house is a home for an artist Gary Faigin, his wife and their two children. Originally it had been an 1936 year’s building that was accompanied by a new three story, 1600 square feet addition. The lowest level is Gary’s studio, the middle level is the living/dining room and the top floor is a new master suite.

bridges the ravine from east to west. A stair leads from the driveway up to the entry court. In section, the house flip-flops: the living areas in the upper level have continuous glass walls that look north to the open landscape. From above and below, two contrasting experiences of the site are framed, one broad and expansive, the other defined and closed. Within the upper level are two open courts, one for the entry, the other connecting the main house to the pool, which projects down the hill and guest house. Paths lead from these courts, the only level outdoor areas on the hilly site, into the landscape. Walls and roof are clad in Cor_ten steel plate viewed from above, the rusty bar spans the golden grass slopes.

The house is planned so that all rooms can have a cross drought if required, day and night, to obviate the need for air-conditioning. Rainwater on primary roofs and terraces is collected and stored in large cisterns under the pool terraces.The entrance and rear gardens have been carefully terraced and landscaped using hand cut local stone for the retaining walls to the terraces which are planted with old olive trees and scented wild flowers. Olive trees are the only “new” plants introduced to the site