Shelley Mao

PERENNIAL

Perennial provides a nostalgi­c, productive, environmentally sustainable, and sensitive living experience for a multi-generational home; young family of 5 and an elderly couple. Perennial aims to create a house that follows the ‘8 80s Cities concept’, in which a space designed for the needs of children and the elderly, will work for all ages.
Particular objectives included providing children with dynamic and accessible environments to play and develop, and considering the limited mobility and importance for physical activity to the elderly.
Implementation of nature was paramount.

Perennial sits on a sloped terrain that provides views to the Yarra River, in which the Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation are the traditional owners. Thus, indigenous motives were imperative to the design. In particular, the indigenous meeting symbol, which celebrated the family coming together in their new home, their new meeting point.

A major design point involves the sloped circulation throughout the house, to sensitively design with the land, create a gentle slope for the elderly, and provide children with dynamism within the house.

The slope went forth to influence the tapered exterior and undulating grass roof. Thin wooden battens circulate around the mass for privacy and to lighten the visual.

360° Masterplan Tour