Custom New Build · Doncaster East · Melbourne
Doncaster East
Residence
A considered new family residence designed for privacy, natural light, and long-term liveability.
Location
Doncaster East, VIC
Type
Custom New Build
Size
487 m²
Configuration
4 Bed · 3 Bath
Services
Design · Build · Interiors
Status
Completed
The Brief
The clients needed a home that would work for two generations living under one roof — with the independence each household required and the connection they wanted to maintain. The site was generous but constrained by setbacks and overlooking provisions, and the brief demanded that both households felt equally considered in the design.
The Outcome
A dual-occupancy residence that functions as a single, consistent building. Distinct entries, separate living zones and carefully planned acoustic separation give each household genuine independence. Shared outdoor space was designed to encourage connection without obligation. Wednesday Projects carried the project from planning strategy through to interior delivery as a single team.
The Facade
Architecture that earns its place on the street
The facade was designed to feel resolved rather than conspicuous. A composition of board-formed concrete, natural stone, and warm timber sets a clear tone — materials chosen for their longevity and the way they change subtly with age and light.
The entry sequence was considered as part of the architectural experience, not an afterthought. Scale, proportion, and the relationship between solid and void were worked through carefully during design development to achieve a presence that is confident without being ostentatious.
Living
Calm, connected, and built for everyday use
The main living zone is anchored by a recessed linear fireplace with a full-height stone surround, with full-width glazing opening directly to the outdoor entertaining area. The room transitions directly between a quiet evening space and a setting for hosting.
Acoustic ceiling treatment, indirect lighting, and natural timber flooring were all resolved during design — not adjusted on site. The result is a room that reads as considered rather than assembled.
Kitchen
Specified for use, not appearance
Full-height cabinetry in a warm linen tone runs the length of the main kitchen wall. A separate scullery conceals the daily workload. The island bench in honed stone provides an informal hub for the household without dominating the room.
Brushed brass tapware and a concealed rangehood keep the space restrained. The joinery was documented in full by the interior team before construction commenced — ensuring what was built matched what was designed.
Ensuite
A private space with natural light as its primary material
A skylight positioned above the double vanity draws natural light into a room that might otherwise feel enclosed. The result is a bathroom that works without artificial light for much of the day.
Textured stone-finish porcelain across floors and walls, vessel basins, wall-mounted brushed brass tapware, and a full open shower with recessed shelf. The palette is deliberate and durable — selected to remain refined without requiring replacement or updating.
Master Bedroom
Oriented for morning light and quiet withdrawal
The master bedroom sits at the quieter end of the plan, oriented to capture morning light and connected to a private garden courtyard through full-height glazing. The courtyard was planted with considered species that provide a filtered green outlook without maintenance complexity.
Warm plaster, natural oak, and linen-textured finishes give the room a quality that is easy to live with long term. Nothing in the palette is trend-dependent.
Staircase
A resolved centre to the home
Open-tread oak stairs rise through a double-height void, drawing light from a clerestory window above. The vertical steel balustrade is clean and uninterrupted. The space functions as the organisational centre of the upper plan — a considered piece of the home, not a decorative addition.
Project Complexity
What made this project demanding to deliver well
Multigenerational Planning
Designing for two households with different daily rhythms requires more than a floor plan with two wings. Acoustic separation, independent entries, separate services and the right balance of shared and private outdoor space were all resolved during design — before a planning application was lodged.
Privacy
The site's orientation and neighbouring properties created real considerations around where glazing could be placed and how outdoor spaces could function. The design worked inward — using landscaping, screening and courtyard planning to create privacy while keeping the home open to light and outlook.
Material Coordination
A consistent material palette across a building of this scale requires early decisions and disciplined procurement. Finishes were specified and ordered before construction commenced — ensuring the interior held together as a complete response to the brief across every space.
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