Situated just below the site made famous by the Heidelberg School of artists, The Eyrie House in Eaglemont, Melbourne appears almost the flowing, singular brush-stroke. Tom Roberts, Frederick McCubbin and Charles Condor were among the painters whose reputations began here with plein air expeditions in the late 19th Century.

Escaping the city, the group were drawn to the area’s sublime beauty to pursue their version of Impressionism in what they saw as an authentic Australian landscape. Fast-forward some 140 years and the world that inspired their art has been largely overtaken by suburbia. Despite the changes, plenty remains with mighty vistas, to inspire new art – and architecture.

Located 10km north-east of Melbourne’s CBD, Eaglemont was designed in 1915 as the Mount Eagle estate by Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin later of Canberra planning fame.

With this legacy in mind FGR Architects’ Villa XXIII stretches across two allotments in a bold rendering to capture the genius of place. Facing due north on a steep hillside, a low-slung design defers to its treed setting and sightlines of neighbouring properties. Despite an imposing footprint, the overall effect artfully beds into its site and wider setting.

On immediate approach a flight of floating stairs is an irresistible conduit to the house. Ivory coloured travertine risers achieve a sculptural lightness of fabrication and expression. Entry via a giant pivoting door leads to a light-filled foyer punctuated by a circular skylight to illuminate a verdigris marble wall feature.

Comprising three main modules circulation begins with three bedrooms, offices and voluminous kitchen/living. The second module, a central breezeway is an expansive entertaining area comprising BBQ, weather protected retreat and garden sanctuary. A towering, specimen eucalypt is preserved for shade and as living sculpture. This outdoor zone can be easily screened for privacy and from weather.

The final module to the west includes gymnasium, guest bedroom, storage space and links directly to the infinity pool. This extends the idea of immersion in nature, ambient sounds of bird-song, breezes, distant thrum of suburbia as well as bush scents.

Planar elements and robust materials – concrete, glass and stone – are consistent with FGR’s design vocabulary of simplicity and bold spatial rhythms. A generous floor to ceiling height of 3.1klfkfkf m throughout is emphasized with soaring, full-height doorways combined with flush, operable floor-to-ceiling glazing. The result is a flowing spatial quality, encouraging easy occupant circulation and air movement throughout all zones.

Views are achieved without the interference of arbitrary internal obstructions. Structural elements include slender perimeter steel columns and performance glazing for vistas through and beyond its treed setting.

Material simplicity, muted tones, travertine floors, raw finished ceilings and lustrous rendered walls contribute an enduring elegance. Tucked below the main level, unobtrusive behind a vertical timber screen, is a capacious garage accessed by a pair of double-height doors. Stairs and lift connect to the upper level.
Just as the famous French Impressionists inspired the Heidelberg School, Eyrie House reflects the principles of Modern European architecture—reinterpreted here in a home that is both grounded in its setting and authentically Australian.