The idea of ‘Living in the environment’ stems from the writings of Eltham-based mudbrick builder Alistair Knox. He was an architectural trailblazer who, together with his wife Margot, articulated an alternative way of living that rejected the uniformity of the suburban landscape and embraced a hands-on, resourceful approach to design and materials. Many others contributed to the movement, including Sam’s late boss and mentor, Gordon Ford, who landscaped the gardens of numerous Knox buildings.

Since we specialise in naturalistic landscape design, our ideas for Swansong were always going to take the environment into account. We are not architects but passionate enthusiasts inspired by the growing community of building designers and architects who share the same philosophy. We feel privileged to work around many thoughtful and well-considered dwellings, blending them into the surroundings with native plants and local materials to emulate the natural environment. We design in place, for place.

Swansong allowed us to design a modest building and landscape together. We aimed to create a robust (steel)yet comfortable shelter that connects us to the outdoors. It achieves this by floating just above the landscape, with a wide expanse of windows and a steel mesh engawa around the building’s edge, offering a space to sit or walk and observe the surroundings. There's also a real sense of being drawn outdoors - the living and sleeping zones are in separate buildings, connected by a timber deck. It’s not a perfect design, but we’ve largely achieved what we set out to do.

Our joy comes from returning and noticing how the plants have grown, and seeing the galvanised steel soften its glare over time. We’ve planted an array of local species, including Indigofera australis, Goodenia ovata, Melaleuca ericifolia and Banksia marginata, a slow-growing local species, in the courtyard between the two pavilions to connect them into place.

The best things about Swansong are, for me, moments when the family of superb fairy wrens dart through the space between the pavilions, picking off the poa seed grass; the white-bellied sea eagle gliding through the trees on her daily hunt; the moon rising over Moulting Bay; the chorus of jewel-like cicadas reaching a crescendo; or, like right now (it’s early spring), the Indigofera australis swaying with a symphony of pink flowers. As a total living environment, all of these moments can be experienced both indoors, outdoors and in the spaces between.

A total living environment

Walking into Landscape