The idea of a cozy, modern home often centers on privacy combined with a strong connection to nature. Levo’s House, located in the suburbs of Melbourne, takes a different and refreshing approach: the main living, dining and kitchen areas sit on the first floor and deliberately open to the street and surrounding parkland. Rather than hiding from the neighborhood, the design encourages interaction with passing neighbors and pedestrians, offering a rare blend of openness and sociability in a suburban setting.
Designed by Clinton Murray Architects, Levo’s House locates its more private spaces on the ground floor, allowing day-to-day living and entertaining to take place upfront, elevated and visually connected to the outdoors. The split between public and private levels gives the house flexibility: family life can be outward-facing without sacrificing intimate bedrooms and quieter areas below.
One of the home’s most distinctive features is its folded Y roof, a sculptural form visible from a distance that gives the residence an unmistakable identity. Internally, the palette is restrained and contemporary: whites, warm timber tones and exposed concrete set a calm backdrop. Large glazed walls, sliding glass doors and thoughtfully placed skylights invite daylight deep into the plan while framing views of the street and greenery beyond.
Set on a triangular lot, the house skillfully balances openness with privacy. The upper floor reads as transparent and welcoming, yet the layout and careful positioning of glazed elements protect private moments and maintain comfortable separation where needed. Sliding doors and operable openings allow the living areas to expand and contract according to weather, events or daily routines, while providing natural ventilation and a direct connection to the outdoor environment.
The interior relies on simplicity and material honesty. Wood-lined ceilings, timber joinery and warm cabinetry contrast with cool concrete surfaces, producing an understated yet refined atmosphere. The kitchen is spacious and well lit, designed to function as both a workspace and a social hub. Open-plan living encourages flexible use of the upper level, accommodating both everyday family life and larger gatherings.
Attention to detail is evident in transitions, thresholds and material joints. The entry sequence is minimalist and modern, with concrete walls and wooden accents that establish the home’s restrained aesthetic from the first steps inside. Bathrooms and service areas continue the same quiet language: simple fixtures, floating timber vanities and carefully framed views help maintain continuity throughout the house.
“The design ‘moment’ for us was taking the planning control stipulating a ‘pitched roof’ and adapting the triangular geometry of the site into a folded y roof that reads as lightly as possible. We worked closely with an extraordinarily creative (old school!) engineer from Canberra Ken Murtagh to create a roof that mystifies!”
The folded roof is not just a formal gesture but a response to site constraints and the triangular block, transforming a regulatory requirement into a signature architectural element. Photography by Peter Bennetts captures how natural light and the material palette shape daily life in the home, while floor plans show how the triangular lot is exploited to maximize both views and privacy.
Levo’s House demonstrates how a modern suburban residence can be both social and private, sculptural and domestic. Its folded roof, elevated living spaces and restrained material palette combine to deliver a home that feels connected to its street and landscape while providing intimate, well-considered interiors for everyday life.
