Inverdon House

A strong connection to community and context are the principles that define Inverdon House. Designed by up-and-coming architect Chloe Naughton for her parents as they enter retirement, this is a low-maintenance home situation specifically designed for their current lifestyle, with the anticipation of adapting for their future needs. Built upon the tropical acreage Chloe grew up on, the contemporary retreat features a seamless connection between the indoor and out, with each design element reflecting her lived experiences of the surroundings. 

Inverdon House was created in close collaboration with a variety of local trades and creatives. This included her grandfather Bob Andrews, who used his lifetime of working with aluminium boats to assist with metal work throughout. In embracing the mentorship of experienced members of the local community, the home is warm and authentic in nature, balancing affordability with intricate detail that omits a strong sense of nostalgia. 

Built to withstand even the harshest conditions of northern Queensland, the home heroes masonry indoors and out for its unmatched durability, longevity and flexibility. The site, consisting largely of farmland, had faced many cyclones and floods, and the home needed to be structurally outstanding to ensure safety and reduce damage costs in natural disaster events. 

Opting for concrete block to minimise expenses, the structure celebrates material in its organic form, choosing a combination of Austral Masonry GB Honed and Smooth 200 Series bricks in ‘Porcelain’ to add further dimension to the pared-back build. The aluminium elements throughout are painted in a dark metallic finish with added grain for textural depth and complexity. 

Emanating the traditional architecture of the region, Chloe sought to include intricate details throughout the home, while keeping it practical to the local climate. Louvres at both ends of the house offer shelter from high winds and shade from the sun, creating the possibility for cross-ventilation, greatly improving living quality. Roofing at either end of the house also functions to harness the natural environment, removing gutters to allow rain to flow in sheets into the rock gardens below. 

The interiors are divided by small pebble inlays that imbue a sense of tranquillity into the home, separating each space. Central to the home is an open-plan living area, comprising a kitchen, living and dining area. To the east is the main bedroom, study and al fresco bathroom, while the west holds a third bedroom for future live-in carers, the main bathroom, toilet and laundry. Once lacking connection to the outdoors, the home now opens up to its tropical climate with expansive sliding doors, connected visually to greenery with glimpses of an existing Poinciana tree throughout. 

Navigating the changing needs of its owners, Inverdon House is a community-built home with a deep awareness of its unique context, imbued with the first-hand experiences of its architect. 

“Opting for concrete block to minimise expenses, the structure celebrates material in its organic form, choosing a combination of Austral Masonry GB Honed and Smooth 200 Series bricks in ‘Porcelain’ to add further dimension to the pared-back build.”

“Opting for concrete block to minimise expenses, the structure celebrates material in its organic form, choosing a combination of Austral Masonry GB Honed and Smooth 200 Series bricks in ‘Porcelain’ to add further dimension to the pared-back build.”