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‘A Healing Place’: A Derelict House with a Designer Pedigree Is Reclaimed for Artists

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‘A Healing Place’: A Derelict House with a Designer Pedigree Is Reclaimed for Artists

May 27, 2024

Artist and writer retreats are often situated in bucolic, peaceful locations where one can effortlessly tune out the noise to turn on the creative juices. River Bend House, set under towering eucalyptus trees and above the Birrarung (aka Yara) River near Melbourne, Australia, is similar in this way—but entirely unique in its design pedigree. The original structure was built by notable mid-century architect and environmentalist Alistair Knox, and after nearly a decade of neglect and decay (think: squatters in the house, a carpet of ivy on the roof, rotting cabinets in the kitchen), it was thoughtfully restored by architect Vaughan Howard after his brother, Eugene Howard, rescued it from ruin, with plans to turn it into an artist retreat.

“I grew up just up the river from River Bend House, in the bushland suburb of North Warrandyte,” says Vaughan. “My brother Eugene started a not-for-profit arts organization [InPlace] to save a number of houses in an environmental reserve from demolition. He worked pro-bono for a number of years to establish philanthropic support to restore the houses and facilitate artists coming to spend time in an area of deep cultural, social and environmental significance.”

Working with an extremely tight budget, Vaughan enlisted friends and colleagues to volunteer on the project, and local artisans to donate their works. “There was a rich cultural history to draw on for the renovation, especially the history of craft in this area [in particular, ceramics] and the history of ‘Bush Modernism’ and self-built houses. In many ways, we completed the work in the spirit of the original houses built in the area, crafted by friends and colleagues, and fitted out with beautiful objects from local makers and designers.”

The response so far from the artists who have had residencies at River Bend? “There are a lot of First Nations and diaspora artists who have spent time here, and often their practices deal with the legacy of colonization and lost culture,” says Vaughan. “There has been a consistent response that River Bend feels to them like a healing place.”

Below, the architect shares the details on the remarkable restoration.

Photography by Sean Fennessy, courtesy of Vaughan Howard Architects, unless otherwise noted.

the unassuming home is nestled between a hillside and a cliff that drops down t 17
Above: The unassuming home is nestled between a hillside and a cliff that drops down to the river.
other than the wood burning stove, everything in the kitchen is new but referen 18
Above: Other than the wood-burning stove, everything in the kitchen is new but references the humble spirit of the original. The blackbutt veneer cabinets were “chosen to be sensitive to the existing plywood wall [see dining room and bedroom] but not to imitate it,” says Vaughan. “The stainless steel counters have a beautiful milky cold-rolled finish (no polishing) that beautifully reflects the light reflecting off the river below. They are intended to scuff and mark with age.”
the cedar windows are original but were painted in &#8\2\20;a horrible purp 19
Above: The cedar windows are original but were painted in “a horrible purplish paint,” says Vaughan, so he had them sanded and re-oiled. The tiles, in a shade chosen to complement the dusty green of the eucalyptus trees outside the windows (the glaze actually has eucalyptus ash in it), were hand-made by Anchor Ceramics, “amazing and thoughtful local makers who supported the project,” he says. Photograph by Derek Swalwell.
the canister lights and wall hooks are also by anchor ceramics. vaughan designe 20
Above: The canister lights and wall hooks are also by Anchor Ceramics. Vaughan designed the stainless steel countertop to drop down and segue into a wooden desk counter. Photograph by Derek Swalwell.
&#8\2\20;the slate floor is original, but was in really bad condition with  21
Above: “The slate floor is original, but was in really bad condition with a peeling synthetic coating,” says Vaughan. “It was painstakingly stripped back by Eugene, and re-sealed with raw natural linseed oil.”
&#8\2\20;in the tradition of these mid century homes we furnished the house 22
Above: “In the tradition of these mid-century homes we furnished the house with furniture and objects from local designers and makers.” Melbourne-based Grazia & Co, purveyors of Australian-made furniture, donated the Agent 86 sofa, among other pieces, in the living room.
the featherston chaise is also from grazia & co. 23
Above: The Featherston chaise is also from Grazia & Co.
in the wood paneled dining room, thonet dining chairs surround the sequence din 24
Above: In the wood-paneled dining room, Thonet dining chairs surround the Sequence dining table by Coco Flip, designers and close friends who live nearby.
the thin hardwood plywood lining some of the walls was in good condition and ne 25
Above: The thin hardwood plywood lining some of the walls was in good condition and needed only a cleaning and re-oil. The armchair, in the main bedroom, is from the Featherston line at Grazia & Co.
a perfect pairing: noguchi lamp with a vintage danish dresser. 26
Above: A perfect pairing: Noguchi lamp with a vintage Danish dresser.
a sliding door separates the ensuite bath from the bedroom. 27
Above: A sliding door separates the ensuite bath from the bedroom.
australian tile and bathware company artedomus supplied all the elements in the 28
Above: Australian tile and bathware company Artedomus supplied all the elements in the new bathroom: Manetti Terracotta Rustic Split tiles, Inax Sugie Series and Inax Format tiles, with Agape Pear Basin and Agape Memory Tapware.
&#8\2\20;the brick paved terrace was in terrible condition, collapsing down 29
Above: “The brick-paved terrace was in terrible condition, collapsing down the hill. The bricks were inspired by the floor of a medieval church. We got original Alistair Knox builders (some quite elderly) to document, remove, clean and re-lay the bricks on a paving slab, to match the original design,” says Vaughan.

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Frequently asked questions

Where is River Bend House located?

River Bend House is located near Melbourne, Australia, set under towering eucalyptus trees and above the Birrarung (aka Yara) River.

Who rescued the original structure of River Bend House?

Eugene Howard rescued the original structure of River Bend House from ruin, with plans to turn it into an artist retreat.

Who restored River Bend House?

Architect Vaughan Howard restored River Bend House after nearly a decade of neglect and decay.

What was the response from artists who had residencies at River Bend House?

The response from artists who had residencies at River Bend House was that it felt like a healing place, especially for First Nations and diaspora artists dealing with the legacy of colonization and lost culture.

What was the budget for the restoration of River Bend House?

The restoration of River Bend House was completed with an extremely tight budget, with Vaughan enlisting friends, colleagues, and local artisans to volunteer and donate their works.

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