McDonald
Northcote, Vic
McDonald House is a suburban dwelling that reconsiders the role of the front yard as an active spatial component of the home.
The project establishes a sequence of layered spaces along the northern edge of the site, transitioning from public to private while maintaining visual permeability between the street and the rear garden.
The building is organised as a simple two-storey rectilinear form, with reduced junctions supporting both spatial clarity and thermal efficiency.
An asymmetrical roof form references the surrounding typology of Californian bungalows, situating the new work within its established suburban context.
The main volume is positioned to the southern boundary, enabling northern orientation for the primary living spaces. The upper level accommodates bedrooms, bathrooms, and an open study space, with a roof terrace extending the occupation of the upper floor.
A dedicated workspace is positioned at the front of the plan, maintaining visual connection to the street and reinforcing the role of the front yard as an inhabited threshold.
Project details
Status
Completed 2026
Project Type
New Build House
Location
Northcote, Melbourne VIC
Floor area
Photography
TBC
Architectural Team
Alexandra Buchanan with Melina Hobday & Jimi Connor
Construction Team
TBC
Materials
Timber, Brick, Steel, Glass
A sequence of layered spaces is arranged along the northern edge of the site, with each progressively more private as it extends from front to rear. Visual and spatial connections to the street are maintained throughout the plan.
The house is resolved as a simple two-storey rectilinear form, with a reduced number of junctions supporting both constructional clarity and thermal efficiency by minimising potential points of heat loss.
Exploring Façade Options
Once a preferred plan was established, a series of façade studies explored how the building could sit within the existing streetscape while introducing a distinct architectural expression. This option develops a contemporary interpretation of a gabled form, with a masonry plinth grounding a lighter upper level.
Exploring Façade Options
The asymmetrical roof pitch references the surrounding Californian bungalow typology, reinforcing the building’s relationship to its suburban context. The main building mass is positioned to the southern boundary, allowing the primary living spaces to orient north. The upper level accommodates bedrooms and bathrooms, along with an open roof terrace that maintains visual connection to the street. The upper hallway is conceived as a flexible study and rumpus space, with operable bedroom partitions extending its use.
