LIFE & ST YLE
Justin shares some firsts and favourite things.
FIRST ADULT HOME? My wife Emma and I bought an unrenovated Victorian workers’ cottage in Rozelle, Sydney. Our daughters, Stella, now 18, and Poppy, 12, were born while we were living there. We returned to Melbourne in 2010. BUCKET-LIST DESTINATION? Tasmania (7). I have been once with our extended family. We toured all around for two weeks and I cannot wait to get back. Further afield, I am looking into a long, long walk across the Pyrenees. DREAM RESTAURANT TABLE? Any one of the many fine eateries along the Mornington Peninsula. I love anything locally sourced and made. The farm-to-table experience just can’t be beaten. DREAM CAR? I’d enter any lottery with an Aston Martin DB4 GT on offer
(6). FAVOURITE DOWNTIME PURSUIT? Relaxing around the fire pit after a day’s work on my property, Walden Cottage, in Flinders. A favourite tipple is Ten Minutes by Tractor pinot noir
(8). FAVOURITE MUSIC? Depends on my mood – my playlist is pretty eclectic. FAVOURITE COLOUR? The sky at dusk.
PROFESSIONALLY I’M MOST PROUD OF… Main Ridge Dairy (1). I designed it for my brother, a local cheese maker, so it’s very close to my heart. The structure is simple, elemental and beautiful. Another project, Manning Road House in Melbourne’s Malvern East (3, 9), is more dramatic but equally special.
WHO INSPIRES YOU IN THE WORLD OF DESIGN? Swiss architect Peter Zumthor. I visited many of his buildings, such as Saint Benedict Chapel in Sumvitg (4, 5) and the Thermal Baths at Vals (2), when my son Felix, now 20, and I were in Switzerland in 2018. It was great fun and a real privilege. NEXT MAJOR PURCHASE? Paying off the mortgage.
WHAT ITEM CAN’T YOU LIVE WITHOUT? The pandemic reinforced the joy of a simple life. I really treasure time at Walden Cottage with family and friends.