Eaglemont House by Bent Architecture: A Light-Filled Renovation Rooted in Landscape and Heritage

Eaglemont House by Bent Architecture is a thoughtful renovation project that redefines the relationship between architecture, landscape, and contemporary family living. Located in Eaglemont, Australia, the 230 m² residence transforms an Edwardian single-storey home that had been compromised by a dark, poorly oriented extension. The architects removed the outdated addition and replaced it with a light-filled, climate-responsive structure designed to reconnect the home with its garden, northern daylight, and the natural rhythms of its environment.

The original dwelling, full of heritage charm, is preserved and refined to accommodate the private zones of the house. This refurbished section includes the bedrooms and a generous master suite complete with a walk-in robe and ensuite. The new extension houses the primary communal spaces—kitchen, dining, and living areas—supported by a family bathroom and laundry strategically placed at the threshold between the old and new volumes. With limited natural light reaching this transition zone, Bent Architecture positioned the main living spaces to the north and east, ensuring abundant sunlight, comfort, and direct connection to the garden.

A defining feature of the extension is its bagged masonry walls. These tactile surfaces serve both functional and aesthetic roles: they delineate the living spaces, enhance thermal mass for improved energy efficiency, and blur boundaries between indoors and outdoors. The exposed bagged brickwork establishes a harmonious material connection with the surrounding garden, offering a sense of permanence and natural protection.

Large floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors further strengthen the home’s indoor-outdoor relationship. Double glazing improves thermal performance while maintaining clear, uninterrupted views of the lush landscape. Bluestone paving—an iconic material in Melbourne’s architectural tradition—extends from interior thresholds into the garden, enhancing the flow between living spaces, outdoor entertaining areas, and recreational zones.

Externally, the extension features rough-sawn hardwood cladding that acts as a screen across high-level windows facing east and west. This timber skin reinforces the home’s connection to the surrounding treetops while providing filtered light and privacy. The clerestory roof, equipped with north-facing high windows, channels low winter sunlight deep into the home, illuminating key spaces even during Melbourne's colder months. Dramatic raked ceilings in the kitchen, dining, and bathroom amplify openness, creating a sense of airiness that elevates daily living.

Eaglemont House embodies Bent Architecture’s belief that a healthy home balances protection with openness—offering refuge from the elements while fostering ongoing engagement with nature. The result is a warm, sustainable, spatially fluid residence that honours its Edwardian heritage while embracing contemporary living patterns. Through sensitive materiality, passive design strategies, and a deep connection to its landscape, the renovated home creates a serene and nurturing environment tailored for modern family life.

All photographs are works of Tatjana Plitt