Havenwood

Havenwood began with a family gift: a block of land in a quiet Brighton cul-de-sac. What followed tested the project at every turn—planning disputes, a drawn-out VCAT process, the collapse of the original builder, and ultimately a complete rethink of the design. From these challenges emerged a light-filled home that reconsiders the suburban backyard, placing nature, community, and long-term living at the forefront of everyday life. Tess Kelly Tess Kelly The project initially proceeded under a design-and-build contract that met planning requirements but struggled to deliver a cohesive, livable outcome. Circulation was awkward, solar access was compromised, and the spatial clarity the family had hoped for was missing. As frus... More