Inside A Beautiful Secret Garden House Designed By An Architect (House Tour)

An inspiring renovation of an existing housing estate - The Secret Garden House that is Mount Eagle Estate - has since retained its relevance to influence a recent renovation by Zen Architects of one of the estate’s original homes, a secret Garden House. Zen Architects enhances the existing natural landscape and ties the garden back into the home.
The midcentury architecture of the secret Garden House had been subjected to minimal changes over the years. Referencing the estate’s design and teardrop shape of the community gardens that once populated it, Zen Architects reflected the curved topographical gestures and fluidity with a desire to subdue the house and make the landscape the hero. Light now enters the house at every opportunity, as do views of the garden beyond.
At the front, the secret Garden House is largely in its original form, although updates have been made through furniture and by optimising thermal comfort - insulating floors and ceilings, and fitting seals and flyscreens to windows. The result is a fully electric home that captures the spirit and beauty of its original 1930s form and exceeds the contemporary 6-star home energy rating.
Upon entry, one is immediately greeted with a panoramic view of the garden beyond - Zen Architects retains the original façade and the front three rooms to provide an unassuming entry that heightens the impact of the interventions beyond. Moving into the extension of the secret Garden House, elements of the landscape - including rock forms, native vegetation and gum trees - inform the natural and organic material palette of the home.
Stepping out through the rear façade, one is immediately connected to the landscape through a curved glass façade and large windows that frame views of the garden throughout the home. Teardrop-shaped gardens wrap around the secret Garden House and, once again, bring them deep into the residence. Curved edges of the kitchen allow for natural flow within the space and tie in with the rest of the dwelling.
Through updating amenities, providing more comfort and allowing a greater connection to the landscape, Zen Architects reconciles the home with the client’s rituals as well as the landscape in which it sits.
00:00 - Introduction to the Secret Garden House
00:42 - The Original House
01:04 - The Project Brief for the Home
01:30 - The Material Palette
02:00 - A Walkthrough of the Secret Garden House
02:55 - The Kitchen
03:38 - Enhancing the Existing Garden and Landscape
04:30 - Favourite Aspects of the House
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Photography by Derek Swalwell.
Architecture by Zen Architects.
Build by Genjusho.
Styling by Studio Georg.
Landscape by Ben Harris Gardens.
Engineering by Keith Patrick & Associates.
Joinery by Kitchens by Peter Gill.
Filmed and Edited by Emble Studio.
Production by The Local Project.
The Local Project acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners of the land in Australia. We recognise the importance of First Nations peoples in the identity of our country and continuing connections to Country and community. We pay our respect to Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations people of these lands.
#Garden #House #Architecture

[@TheLocalProject]

We hope you enjoyed watching the mesmerising journey of the Garden House's renovation by Zen Architects. The way Zen Architect's have seamlessly integrated the natural landscape into the home is truly remarkable. For more of the latest and greatest in architecture, interior design and house tours, make sure to order Issue No. 12 of our tri-annual hardcopy print publication - thelocalproject.com.au/publication/issue-12/

[@LGAP]

That woodwork and curved wall- and glass fronts👀

[@jtuck682]

'A greater connection to the landscape'.With a name Zen Architects one couldn't, wouldn't and possibly shouldn't expect anything less. Mission Accomplished!😊

[@TheLocalProject]

🙌

[@wildlifegardenssydney7492]

Congratulations. Beautiful brief…to tie their garden back inside when the owners were inside the house. Gardens make houses sing….nature is everything.

[@christinagiudice2900]

About 7 years ago, my partner and I house sat for a beautiful home renovated by Zen architects. We stayed in the middle of winter and the house was warm, light filled and inviting. We loved it so much and have never forgotten about it. We absolutely love gardening and nature and seeing this beautifully crafted renovation complementing and celebrating the garden so well is very inspiring. Great job as always :)

[@mrvk39]

love that middle curved window! it really does draw you into the garden and it's a great way to separate the dining area, living area and the kitchen, without completely compartmentalizing them

[@TheLocalProject]

Yes it does!

[@littlenest]

Love these homes that let the landscape take center stage ♥

[@jessicaveganjessica2208]

I super love the curves on the outside. So much.

[@Artix13]

Stunning! Wish the video was longer and showed more of the interiors.

[@jmk1962]

Truly gorgeous house that looks like it grew up from it's stunning garden like a beautiful piece of sculpture. Love it ❤

[@olawaleoladele604]

Wow, Got a little teary eyed watching this, just stunning wow, Incredible work to the team as always for capturing its beauty so well

[@TheLocalProject]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@gblim398]

Bravo. Beautifully done.

[@serghienco_architect]

Complicated spline forms. It's worth it in this house! Thanks for inspiration!

[@janishani1]

I greatly love Architects that honour nature in such way by consciously paying respect to it before introducing and integrating their own creations in it. Salve to all of you!

[@tiatemjentzudir4998]

Ofcourse in architectural world there are incredibly extra ordinary houses made...but i must say this is a very beautiful, perfectly and uniquely made.

[@dear_darling]

that curved glass facade! stunning.

[@francineh.7825]

Stunning!!

[@marinathomas7820]

I love this curved house.

[@happytite]

Absolutely love this design! The blending with the gorgeous outside gardens is perfect. Love, love the little stream and multi level steps. This is one of my favorites for sure!

[@TheLocalProject]

Glad you like it!

[@iahorvath]

Beautiful renovation. Bravo!

[@TheLocalProject]

We agree!

[@ovejanegra7355]

Another magnificent house with a great cozy feeling thanks to those gorgeous curves + smart use of wood. EDIT: I forgot to mention the stunning garden!!!!

[@marthenryb8398]

Beautiful garden house❤

[@uluvooa]

W O W

[@spinmoto180]

Pure Genius!

[@roberthak3695]

Excellent...

[@annwiltshire1644]

Bravo. It is beautiful

[@marckrukov5407]

💙💙💙 brilliant

[@agentofart5425]

Brilliant idea and execution! LOVE IT!

[@TheLocalProject]

Glad you like it!

[@fakenamebunchofnumbers]

I dont even want to imagine what it would cost to replace that big window if it broke

[@evahaos]

это восхитительный дом ♥

[@oliverrobson4086]

Not sure if its just me but that front of the house is stunning, would prefer that to be the whole way around than the modern part at the back

[@rmbpoulier]

This guy feels like hes reading from a uni assignment. gorg house though

[@MrBenzcdi]

agree

[@ziraprod6090]

Most original of these Australian historic home add-ons.

[@vickiivins3288]

❤

[@whosbehindthedoor8788]

do something from the Melbourne THC.

[@Vixrux]

Does anyone know what the title of the first background music is?

[@andrew4809]

Nice man garden

[@gemini1123]

Just to get an uncut walk thru tour of the house would be nice. Chill music with a bit of text or voiceover. We don’t need sit down interviews and standing shots of one zoomed in angle of the house as it slowly pans to another zoomed in angle…

[@robertspies4695]

Fantastic but where would all my junk go?

[@renosance8941]

Not to be paranoid, but, what do the fences look like? lol

[@flyingaviator8158]

Sad there is no bathtube, but otherwise stunning house. The fact that you kept the original fassade is amazing!

[@LilaYin-lc8is]

How much is it？😊

[@TheSingingGardener]

I’m convinced the guy narrating is Ai 😂

[@Jdog1681]

Why do so many of these homes build on existing houses? I know it's great for sustainability but it's almost every one on this channel. Is it regulatory for preserving older buildings?

[@Artix13]

Interesting question.

[@rebeccaw9656]

He mentioned this house has a “Heritage Overlay” which is common in major cities around Australia to preserve buildings of historical significance - usually approx 100 years in age or older. When a building or a home has a heritage overlay, it’s illegal to knock it down, and state or council legislation dictates that you can’t alter the look of the home structurally from the street level, but you can alter the inside and rear of the property, sometimes you can add a second level if it’s set back and not seen from street. An architect’s job is to design to a clients needs, but their main work is also to get their design approved by councils to build; it’s common place to see this kind of thing here in affluent areas close to or in major cities.

[@Jdog1681]

@@rebeccaw9656 Great response. Thank you!

[@AR-15-685]

Looks like a 1920's home.

[@MimiYouyu]

Monotone narration was a tad distracting from the joyful elements of this fine house.

[@MrBenzcdi]

yes!

[@rudolfvalentine1755]

OMG yes.

[@ptooty]

He's an architect not a tv personality... Stick to Grand Designs

[@tukangtamankwb]

Sho lush garden bring nature to your home 🍀🌿🌺

[@ernestopreciado4895]

Finally. A house with a natural landscape that is not fucking grass and non native trees and plants.

[@robinward6232]

Apologies for this silly nitpick, but it might correct a reader's misunderstanding. You (The Local Project) invite people to subscribe to your tri-annual publication. Tri-annual is every three years, but your publication is three times a year. There is no word for that, so why not just say three times a year?

[@realgrilledsushi]

Looks like an office space with a roof.

[@sushmasinghkisibhibdestark9170]

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[@DZ60]

Making the house subdued so the environment stands out I think is overused nowadays. Both should be the focus so that both stand out and compliment each other. This house just feels like an empty afterthought. Architects and Designers please, don’t neglect either.

[@george2737]

Does anyone know what the lounge chair was at 3:13?

[@mrveeral]

It's the Prime Time chair designed by Tom Stepp

[@george2737]

Thank you!! @@mrveeral

[@mattiusg]

Lovely house, but I'm sorry, that narrator seriously needs some media training. Had to re-watch in mute just to enjoy the work.

[@MrBenzcdi]

haha

[@9ramthebuffs9]

3rd consecutive video where they're naming the natives their ancestors stole the land from. These people are so bizarre.

[@al1us]

Aren't all houses designed by architects?

[@TheLocalProject]

Not necessarily 🙂

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[@andruw9011]

I hate when the architects are reading off a script and don't go into detail about their process, thinking and design decisions

[@markfelton3484]

pretentious

[@insidiousengineering]

Wow! Another schizo composition of gratitingly clashing styles forced together with all the sophistication of a child weilding a stick in the throes of an architectural temper tantrum. Same area as Iririki house? You Aussies must really hate the historical overlay. But hey, as long as the client is happy.

[@sushmasinghkisibhibdestark9170]

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[@sggr7708]

these are all FAKE ! 3d projects ! its a shame ! !

[@sushmasinghkisibhibdestark9170]

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