Branching Out
Thanks to their architect son, Elspeth and Brian Noxon gained a beautifully bespoke home on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula – the perfect place to share with family and to savour their retirement.
A tailor-made home for an architect’s parents.
Many architects and interior designers avoid designing homes for family and friends. “It has the potential to go wrong,” says Justin Noxon of Noxon architects, who challenged that notion by creating this luminous, airy house for his parents, Elspeth and Brian Noxon, on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. And what a happy outcome. According to his parents, it’s the best house they have ever lived in, fitting them like a glove and future-proofing their retirement years. And who better than their son to understand and interpret their needs, now and in the future?
“I WAS AMAZED AT THE VIEW THAT WAS REVEALED. THE LIGHT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL ON THE TREES, THE DAM AND THE HILLS.” Elspeth Noxon, owner
Elspeth and Brian bought the property in 2015, with an eye to preserving the Mid-Century cottage at its centre, a small gesture of defiance against the increasing prevalance of ‘McMansions’ in the area. But as much as they loved its crisp style of architecture, the cottage had shortcomings: a leaky roof, mould, and tiny windows that short-changed the rural panorama at its doorstep. Most worrying of all, it was clad in asbestos sheeting.
At the time, the couple were living on an 8-hectare farm nearby and looking to downsize, but they weren’t convinced this home was the right place to resettle. While they considered whether to retain the property or on-sell it, Justin, a lover of Mid-Century domestic architecture, pressed on with rejuvenating the cottage.
He stripped the building down to the timber frame and restumped it. But the biggest transformation was the addition of a vast open-plan living area on the eastern side, which looks straight up the valley and down to an idyllic golden pond below. “We opened the house up to the view and the morning light,” says Justin.
When Elspeth saw what could be achieved, she was delighted. “I was amazed at the view that was revealed,” she says. “The light was so beautiful on the trees and the dam and the rolling hills. And the sky assumed terrific importance – it became an ever-changing thing.”
“IT FILLS ME WITH JOY TO SEE MY PARENTS SO HAPPY LIVING HERE.” Justin Noxon, architect
Decision to stay made, Justin tweaked his plans to personalise the home for his parents and their lifestyle. The result is a house that combines the spectacular and intimate in equal measure.
From a humble facade that reflects the essence of the original cottage, the entry hall passes through the old section of the house with a study to the left and music/ living room to the right. Next door to the living room, the main bedroom suite was enlarged and zoned into two separate sleeping areas, each with ensuite, connected by a dressingroom.Thespacescaneasilybereunited,ifdesired.
In order to accommodate any future mobility issues, level changes are kept to a minimum, and there’s wheelchair access should it be required. A separate studio was upgraded to become Elspeth’s light-filled workspace and a new lap pool added for the active octogenarians.
Upstairs, two bedrooms – mostly used by visiting grandchildren – are tucked under a roofline raised subtly so as to not disrupt the profile. Down a flight of steps from the hallway, there’s a living area in the 60 squaremetre extension. Beyond, valley vistas are framed by expanses of sliding glass that lead to a large deck.
In keeping with the local farmhouse vernacular, Justin clad the building in weatherboards. “I love the texture and the shadowlines they create,” he says. “They continue the story of the neighbouring cottages, helping this house sit quietly in its surroundings.”
Mid-Century accents are sprinkled throughout, including classic Eames armchairs and tables, and George Nelson and Poul Henningsen pendant lights. Meanwhile, sculptures by Justin’s grandfather, Douglas Stephen, and artworks by Elspeth and other local artists lend a personal touch.
“I like the fact we kept the section at the front, which everyone thought we would demolish,” says Justin. “The spirit of the old house is retained, but now it has a surprise at the rear. It’s sensitive and subtle, humble and gentle.”
And family ties have been strengthened rather than stretched by this collaboration between parents and son. “Working with my parents set the bar high,” says Justin. “They are sensitive clients who were not afraid to ask, ‘Why are you doing that?’ But that just means they were passionate about the project. It fills me with joy to see my parents so happy living here.”