How This Architect’s Own Minimalist Home Challenges The Way We Live

Architect Karen Alcock and her family embraced simplicity over glamour in renovating their Northcote home. Focusing on functional zones and a strong connection to the garden, they prioritised joy over flashy finishes. The result is a minimalist yet warm and inviting home that enriches their daily lives.
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Northcote House by MA+Co
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[@keithdougal3581]

More of these please. A sensible house, well designed and authentically described. Hallelujah.

[@SimpleDwelling]

I’m glad you enjoyed it, Keith. I’ll keep looking for more of these homes to feature.

[@princekareem]

This is timeless. In 30 years it will still work as well. Love to see a thought-out place like this instead of the trend-driven homes that often get the exposure

[@SimpleDwelling]

100% agree with you

[@bryanpwo3085]

I like the style and the philosophy behind it and I like the house has a "realistic" feel without the flashiness we usually see in architect's videos this day. Personally, I would've had my doubts with the openness of the bathroom, but that's me.😉

[@SimpleDwelling]

It could make for some stressful, uhh, situations, but there is a blind to give privacy when needed.

[@bryanpwo3085]

@@SimpleDwelling 😅😅 Ah, I see... well that's a... relief...😉

[@Vgallo]

how about the bath in the garden ?

[@mariamarshall6116]

They are def privileged to be there and to have the wealth to build this home, I’m glad that was acknowledged.

[@Winterbiker333]

I like that you kept the old house at the front and that it reflects the architecture of the past and the street it sits on.

[@user-usererer]

I enjoy how purposeful the home is and how well every space is utilized. Amazing home

[@Kira-kg4kl]

I love the window sizes, absolutely beautiful amount of natural light

[@marywall5262]

What an awesome blend of indoors and outdoors. I love it!!! This house just glides!

[@nata6025]

i love how practical this house is

[@scoutyd1885]

I appreciate the use of 'off-the-shelf' materials. Planning for the pieces (appliances/fixtures) you want in with the total overall budget makes a home like this doable. Hopefully this can become the way homes can be built, sustainable, custom and within reach for many wanting to build their forever home.

[@user-xi7gz6sz4w]

It has just what you need and no more. Beautiful, easy living. My dream home and layout.

[@emidala1]

Baller architect! Clever and thoughtful.

[@SimpleDwelling]

Definitely a baller architect!

[@janelte]

So thoughtful, unpretentious, and inspiring for other home renovators or builders. As a lifelong renter, I find the biggest impact in my many, many homes has been the relationship in the home between the interior and outdoors, and the light. This home maximises both these elements on a block that had a less than ideal outlook, with real success, I think. The sparing use of more expensive materials make each detail something to be celebrated. Thank you for sharing it with us all.

[@SimpleDwelling]

Outdoor connection is so vital, and this home does it so well. I love the long strip of garden! I think her approach of celebrating touch points and little moments is so much nicer on a day-to-day living. Sure, the expensive marble kitchen or timber-lined interior looks great in a photo, and will still be nice to live in, but focusing on little moments is such a nice approach.

[@MatteoManzi]

I love this woman's way of thinking and saying things. A really right approach to design, and indeed the result is great. Every once in a while you get a few smart architects fortunately.

[@SimpleDwelling]

I hope all the architects I feature fit this comment!

[@lilacDaisy111]

The floorplan is fantastic, with the glass along one side, however, I'm discovering that aesthetic warmth and comfort is more important than I've given it credit. I used to like this "dentistry" home design, but I'm falling in love with wallpaper, wood and soft lines.

[@MaxGDesign]

For sure! The cool grey pallet looks kinda cold and dead. Awesome design! Uninviting colours.

[@mattgoodman948]

Wow, simple and stunning

[@heatherdeavalon]

This is the kind of house I would live in. Well done!

[@Nununu-ds3mt]

Brilliant design merging the garden and maximising the light using balcony windows for the challenging property footprint. Despite the tight width of the house, the architect manages to create a lovely illusion of light and lightness true to form and function. The plants are well chosen for the climate and easily maintained, evoking sunny Californian vibes. Timeless.

[@SimpleDwelling]

The integration with the linear garden is my favourite aspect about this home.

[@rodney6610]

I see hints of Finnish elements from the Aalto cutting board, iittala tableware and high chairs in the kitchen to another chair hiding in the corner. Well done!

[@TheHomeMindProject]

The light coming through those windows is absolutely awesome! It's amazing how much light affects our mood. We just made a video about this. Great video Simple Dwelling! Love love love what you do!

[@reggie712]

Beautifully articulated - just like the home!

[@SimpleDwelling]

Karen and I chatted for an hour about her home, there’s so much I had to cut out but it’s a beautiful story.

[@reneeitzen6744]

I really love this ❤

[@SimpleDwelling]

Me too, Renee!

[@anaalves3658]

What a beautiful home and a very happy owner. We are about to start designing our small holiday house and we want the view of the river and surrounding hills to be the focus. I am interested in exploring what can be achieved with standard, hardware fixtures, the only thing that we are happy to splurge on will be custom made windows if it makes sense.

[@mmerriman4995]

Nicely done!

[@kuyaalleennn]

My comment here is for the dog ❤

[@SimpleDwelling]

I’ve been waiting for this comment! Haha

[@einarquay]

Nice build, terrific idea. Now add a Canadian winter , LOL.

[@lanamelonakos-harrison9606]

Stunning. I would like to be invited over for a soak in that gorgeous garden tub lol

[@SimpleDwelling]

Would be a lovely place to just relax.

[@aleksandraalexander4506]

Well done, simple elegant and functional plus energy efficient..

[@SimpleDwelling]

Exactly!

[@AlexdaCunha]

great episode

[@SimpleDwelling]

Thank you, Alexda!

[@michaelsd284]

Very nice use of the spaces, light, and materials. My preference would have been to incorporate a bit more wood, but not knowing the client preferences and circumstance I can not criticize the choices made. My pet peeve is when architects ( I am one) and designers provide such thoughtful details and furnishing but leave obvious eye sores such as the mini-split AC units in plain sight. The good news is there are lots of options to resolve this after the initial build.

[@Harry-fk5of]

Love this place

[@freerkderuiter8822]

This is rather nice. I'm glad to see a house again where it's not just dark woods and black kitchens. I hope that darkness trend dies soon.

[@minigiant8998]

it's either "everythings so white and stark" or "everythings so dark and moody" blah blah blah.

[@freerkderuiter8822]

That's a rather black and white on the subject, isn't it?

[@minigiant8998]

@@freerkderuiter8822 dont bring race into this.

[@freerkderuiter8822]

I'm just playing a game of chess

[@minigiant8998]

@@freerkderuiter8822 checkmate.

[@jenniferfinch8929]

❤this place.

[@KJSvitko]

Large roof over hangs are beautiful and protect the doors, windows and siding from rain and moisture damage. Water is the enemy of buildings. Architects and home builders need to bring back large roof over hangs

[@user-xi7gz6sz4w]

Like with MCM architecture, the overhang can shade large windows in summer but allow full light in winter, when the sun is lower on the horizon.

[@philiq18]

Nice outdoor tub.

[@SimpleDwelling]

I can imagine myself soaking there.

[@camerond554]

So nice

[@SimpleDwelling]

Very nice.

[@happyhappyaus2128]

Really love this one!

[@SimpleDwelling]

Me too!

[@poerava]

Great green work Cost of the house?

[@susanwoods3507]

Its so lovely. Amazing actually what you have done in this small space. The cutting board over the ktichen counter - may I ask where this is from? I would love one :)

[@allisonandrews4719]

So freakin smart.

[@domgalloway6105]

Could someone identify the retractable awnings please. Looks a nice operation & minimal structure. Thanks!!

[@SimpleDwelling]

I’ve reached out to Karen to get this info for you. Will report back when she gets back to me

[@SimpleDwelling]

Hi Dom, The awnings were from Shades in Hawthorn, it’s a Spanish system it’s called Ilios Awning. Karen believes they may not importing anymore, but she has given a link to an Australian supplier she found; cbs.sydney/ilios-awning/ Hope this helps!

[@domgalloway6105]

@@SimpleDwelling thank you so much for your help. Great stuff. And great channel. Look forward to seeing more!! 👍

[@hazelem1266]

Even though you live in a busy area, it still feels like you’re in your own world and space. I love the big windows and your garden. There’s only one thing I would change, and that is the large lamp shade, or is that just the angle of the camera? And one question I have, is what is the steel thing on your kitchen counter? Thank you.

[@yunahkim4667]

yes what is that steel thing? i love this home.

[@SimpleDwelling]

Not a camera angle, Hazel, it's a very big lamp shade. As for the metal thing, it's actually a light, see 01:56.

[@user-mu4py5nc3b]

I could tell this house is standing in Auckland before looking into the info.

[@davidd5226]

How did she use concrete flooring in place of a timber floor? Was the house set on piers or was it on a concrete slab?

[@user-xi7gz6sz4w]

What is the flooring? Terrazzo or vinyl sheet? Concrete?

[@user-tn4nb9ic8j]

Отличный дом - мое почтение!

[@menutokitchen]

oh this looks so cozy and livable, some bit of of daily mess adds life to this house (which is realistically an everyday norm for all of our homes). Is stainless steel becoming a trend?

[@SimpleDwelling]

I think stainless steel is becoming 'trendy', but Karen (the architect) most certainly didn't choose it as a trendy option.

[@premadonna]

Love this! Love how unpretentious it is, the rigor of the grid and how meaningful the detailing is. Someone has to design more attractive heat pump units though 😂

[@SimpleDwelling]

I love a good grid rigor, so many of my architecture school projects used a grid. And yes! Let's get some attractive services!

[@mattimunchow9957]

What is the name of the calendar?

[@SimpleDwelling]

Can you timestamp what you're referring to? I'll then reach out to Karen to find out for you, Matti.

[@kENNY-zy7uv]

I like it when rich people talk about their simply builds where every single piece of furniture is custom-made.

[@eattherich9215]

@1:12, there is no clue what you are going to find from the exterior. There is nothing wrong with "builder grade" materials when honestly used. However, all that stainless steel is a fingerprint magnet.

[@SimpleDwelling]

It is very understated, which I love. Absolutely nothing wrong, the key is ensuring architectural detailing to elevate it.

[@L0U1SE]

I couldn’t live with all that grey - it’s depressing.

[@SimpleDwelling]

What would you do to make it your own?

[@L0U1SE]

Warm tones + timber. Doesn’t have to be exe

[@robinlarabi]

Agreed, I find it cold and boring😢. Too much stainless steel finishes. This place is crying for some touches of color, a few more plant, and you are right, warm material like timber.

[@diegodiego13]

El buen pelo femiempoderado.

[@KJSvitko]

New homes need to adjust to the times. Home solar energy and battery storage are now more common. Electric vehicles are becoming more popular every year. Every garage should include a 220 volt outlet and electric vehicle charger. Every new home and business should install a rain water collection and storage system along with solar panels. Even in areas where rain is infrequent it is crazy to waste the little rain that does fall and waste it. We need to stop planting green lawns and switch to local native plantings around homes. It is crazy to plant lawns and build golf courses in dry desert areas. We waste too much water and electricity. the future is electric. Wind and solar energy along with electric vehicles are the future. Stop using fossil fuels. There is a climate crisis.

[@adira24]

Some of the decor though... it just doesn’t work with the house

[@SimpleDwelling]

Sometimes it isn't about working with the house, but rather working with the owners. Out of curiosity, which decor specifically are you referring to?

[@Vgallo]

my god you should feel lucky, lots of people don't have a home, let alone have one an architect designs that's high end, simple and in a central location, how obtuse

[@SimpleDwelling]

Do you live in a home? Do you ever eat food? Drink water? Drive a car? Wear clothes? All of these things others don’t have access to. How obtuse of you to leave such a comment.

[@Vgallo]

@@SimpleDwelling not it’s not, the difference is I’m hyper aware of my good fortune, I don’t need to experience the good fortune that an extremely small % of people experience to realise that.

[@SimpleDwelling]

Did you not hear her closing remarks reflecting on how privileged she is to have her home? She’s very much aware, so is everyone I speak to.

[@Vgallo]

@@SimpleDwelling yeah ok. Just rubbed me the wrong way , probably doesn’t help that she looks like a stereo typical bourgeoisie

[@SimpleDwelling]

Well how you feel is on you, not her, not other architects or anyone else.

[@keithconti6057]

metal gross.. natural wood woudl have been better

[@Kira-kg4kl]

They are probably considering cleanliness and ease of use, long term wood would need refinishing, I don't personally like it as I agree wood would be alot more aesthetically pleasing but each to their own 😅