Weather House by Mihaly Slocombe

Designed for a family who loves camping, Weather House by Mihaly Slocombe is responsive to the external environment, all while inviting the outside into the interior palette with tactile and durable materials.

“Our clients love the location and being in the inner suburbs of Melbourne, but they wanted to create something that was an oasis and experience that felt like that break they get when they go for a camping trip; a revival of spirit,” says Mihaly Slocombe principal architect Erica Slocombe.

A series of tools ensures this connection – blues, greens, and natural timber are paired with floor-to-ceiling windows and doors that entirely open the home to the Australian native garden carefully crafted by Ben Saunders Landscapes.

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Cabinetry tones allude to the colours of native Australian trees. Artwork: Michelle Kettle ; vase: Karari and Ziguzagu .

Image: Tatjana Plitt

In the kitchen, a large awning window connects to the external courtyard, swinging open to offer a servery bar for outdoor cooking, dining and entertaining. A marble countertop adds tactility, while blackbutt cabinetry is trimmed in a green-blue eucalyptus hue that is evocative of looking up at trees in a remote campsite.

Generous space between benches, cabinetry that reaches up to the ceiling, and a full laundry and pantry make the most of the kitchen’s small footprint. “It gives additional amenities by having space for things that are not everyday use, so you don’t feel cluttered,” Erica says.

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New living spaces encourage direct engagement between indoor and outdoor activities.

Image: Tatjana Plitt

Multi-dimensional and sustainably sourced Australian blackbutt features as a reoccurring motif; the wood was chosen for its water- and fire-resistant qualities. It is a warm, organic complement to the crisp natural stone and colourful pops of paint. Solid timber is used across the ceiling in the living area and carried through to the cabinetry across the home.

In the bathroom, the shower’s blackbutt batten floor can be lifted to reveal a sunken tub with views out to the surrounding foliage. The glass doors fold back to reveal the natural surrounds, creating a spa-like feel in this private space. Brass tapware adds to the luxury, as do peachy-pink terrazzo floor tiles and soft pink walls.

Consistent with the rest of the house, the bathroom maximizes its limited space: the compact blackbutt vanity doesn’t distract from the clean, minimal lines, instead hiding storage under the stairs for inner-suburban compact living – and leaving plenty of space to invite the outside in.