Drive By Houses - Sir Roy Grounds Hill Street House

Do you peer nosily into front gardens and windows as you drive by, hoping for a glimpse perhaps of the inside, maybe even a piece of art or a section of curtain?  I do.  

We pass some interesting houses on the way to work, a trip of short cuts, rat runs and roundabouts, trying to beat the cars queued at the obvious intersections.    

This house in Hill Street Toorak was designed by Sir Roy Grounds for himself in 1952.  Reaction to the house was mixed but it still won the Architectural Medal in 1954.    Grounds is an icon of Australian 20th century architecture, responsible for works including the Water Wall at the National Gallery of Victoria.   He formed a partnership in the early 1950s with two other significant architects: Robin Boyd and Frederick Romberg. 

The house was rediscovered by a cardiologist in 2003 who lovingly restored it to its current intact condition.  The walls were relined with ash, and the joinery is consistent throughout (this is important given so much of the house can be seen from other rooms).    The Knoll chairs work wonderfully in this room.   

(images from Dedece.com)

This elevation shows the unusual nature of the house - a circular courtyard in a square structure. 

The courtyard has black bamboo:

Here is a shot of the exterior and the dining area: 

This is a close up of the lined circular wall:

And the living area, with just the perfect furniture.  

The house is now owned by Georgia Danos, who owns Grace Boutique in Hawksburn (see below).  It has changed a bit but the light, symmetry and the harmonious structure have remained. 

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