Description: Private Residence
Location: AINSLIE, ACT
Year: 2024
Status: Complete
Photos: Brett Boardman
Set on a sloping block with sweeping views across the valley to Black Mountain Tower, this home is a bold and poetic response to place. Clad entirely in lilac-toned corrugated iron — a subtle nod to the cinematic urban landscapes of Jeffrey Smart — the house presents a distinctive, sculptural identity that shifts with the light, particularly during the warm glow of Canberra’s afternoon sunsets.
Arranged as a split-level dwelling, the middle tier opens directly to the backyard, creating an easy flow between indoor living and outdoor retreat. Upstairs living spaces capture expansive views not dissimilar to a tree house, while the lower level accommodates bedrooms, offering privacy and calm. Designed with families and teenagers in mind, sliding glass doors provide visual connection between spaces while ensuring acoustic separation when needed.
An integrated home office reflects the post-COVID reality of flexible working, offering a quiet, purposeful space without disconnecting from the rhythm of the home. The double-height volume around the oversized stair infuses the interior with light and drama, acting as the home’s sculptural spine.
With landscaped entertaining areas, a seamless relationship to the pool, and carefully framed vistas, the home balances practicality with artistry — a contemporary sanctuary shaped by colour, light and family life.