Australian architectural studio Adam Kane Architects has unveiled its latest creation, the Grey House, located in the serene valley of Daylesford, Victoria, just an hour outside Melbourne. The residence is a private holiday home designed by studio founder Adam Kane for his family, showcasing a minimalist aesthetic that eliminates all but one colour—grey.
A Vision of Purity and Functionality
The Grey House lives up to its name, enveloped entirely in a fog-like polished plaster finish that covers both the exterior and interior surfaces. The home’s design reflects a dedication to simplicity and functionality, with clean lines and a monolithic façade that contrasts sharply with the lush greenery surrounding it. The property’s design is highly reflective of the surrounding forest, offering a contemporary take on the traditional rural holiday home.
Kane explains that designing his own residence allowed him to take creative risks that might not be acceptable in client work. He noted, “The home excels in its purpose of a purist aesthetic without compromise on functionality.”
The Role of Polished Plaster in the Design
The choice of polished plaster as the primary finish throughout the house is both a visual and tactile decision. Kane elaborated on the effect, saying, “There’s a softness to this product that could not be achieved with paint – it evolves throughout the day, with the texture intensity changing, as does its mottled sheen.”
To further enhance the home’s tactile qualities, some surfaces are treated with stainless steel, hand-scoured to create a soft, cloud-like aesthetic. This not only adds depth to the monochromatic environment but also allows for future wear to be seamlessly repaired.
The Interior and Layout
Spanning three bedrooms, the home also includes a freestanding guesthouse. Kane’s design ensures that each communal space has its own distinct “feel and purpose,” while the bedrooms are strategically hidden to maintain privacy and a clean aesthetic.
The kitchen, the hub of family activity, is designed with a visual connection to the garden, providing an ever-changing natural backdrop. The garden itself is a lush green space, created through the addition of new plantings around the house, compensating for the site’s original sparse landscaping.
Emphasis on Neutrality and Reflection
Kane envisioned the Grey House as a “timeless haven,” offering a peaceful retreat from daily life. He explained, “This choice of grey paired with stainless steel accents was deliberate, symbolising neutrality, balance, and introspection. It serves as a canvas upon which the mind can wander freely, devoid of distractions.”
The home is nestled in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, an area renowned for its lush greenery, particularly after frequent rains. Despite this, the site had only three pine trees to work with, which led the architects to plant additional greenery around the house to create sweeping, evergreen views from every room.
Sculpting the Environment
The land itself presented several challenges, including the need to reroute a small creek and move three meters of earth to level the site. These alterations significantly increased the house’s visual impact, making it a striking presence from the street.
Grey House’s serene, understated design has inspired comparisons to other monochrome homes featured on platforms like Dezeen, such as the blue Brooklyn townhouse by LOT Office and the minimalist Mureli House by Makhno Studio in Ukraine.
Conclusion
Adam Kane Architects has successfully created a living space where simplicity, functionality, and nature converge, with Grey House standing as a modern architectural marvel that embraces neutrality as its guiding principle.
