Upper Yarra Valley House, Kasumi Architecture

Upper Yarra Valley House, Kasumi Architecture

Upper Yarra Valley House, Upper Yarra Valley, Victoria

Architect: Kasumi Architecture, Yusuke Shiratori 

Builder: Sanders Building Construction 

Photography: Brook James 

Set within the wetland bush of the upper Yarra Valley, the house brings Japanese design tradition into dialogue with Southeast Asian everyday rhythm, grounded in a rural Australian setting. Clad in charred Blackbutt and Colorbond in Monument, it stands quietly in the landscape.

Inside, a concrete floored working spine runs along the north, clearly separating daily tasks and outdoor entertaining from the calm of the main living space. Rising beneath a raked central gable, the living space draws morning light through an eastern clerestory window, while shoji screens frame views west to the wetland and the mountains beyond. Moss green plywood lining sets a restful mood in harmony with the surrounding bush, completing a house measured in modesty and quiet detail rather than luxury.

The role of colour 

Colour was kept quiet so that light and natural materials could lead. Haymes Cement 1, a soft warm white, is used on the walls, where it gently diffuses daylight through the living space. The same colour at half strength in a matt finish on the ceilings keeps the light from above even. Its warmth ties the interior together with the pale timber joinery and the Tasmanian oak frames of the shoji screens. Against it, the charred timber outside and the moss green plywood inside read clearly. 

Why Haymes Paint 

Supporting an Australian made and owned company was important to us. Haymes Paint also gave us the quality of finish we wanted, and soft, warm neutrals that sit comfortably with natural timber. 

Interior walls: Haymes Cement 1, Expressions Low Sheen 

Raked living room ceiling: Haymes Cement 1 at half strength, Expressions Matt 

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