Eloise and Matthew Collins, a young married couple, were planning a somewhat uncertain future. Amid their IVF journey, they relocated to Tasmania, where Eloise had family and friends, and land was much more affordable. Despite the uncertainty of what fate had in store for them, Eloise and Matt were determined to find a house they could call “their” home.
They purchased a “totally blank slate” in Tasmania’s rural town of Deviot. The sloping, clay soil block was daunting, but from the top of the property, sprawling views of the Tamar River were spectacular. This is where Tamar House would eventually take shape. Matt, a builder by trade, and Eloise, who worked in an architectural firm, planned to work with an architect at first to use the space effectively and achieve the design they wanted. After that, Matt and Eloise lived in a shed on the property for nearly four years, gradually building their forever home.
“We didn’t want a big house. We wanted it to be smart but simple, with plenty of storage. We also wanted to work with the landscape; it was important that the house worked with the block, not against it,” says Eloise. “We were in love with the Cheminees Philippe double-sided fireplace, so that was to be a key feature of the house. We had also been on a trip to Japan and fell in love with the work of Tadao Ando, so we used that as an aesthetic reference.”
Tadao Ando, a self-taught Japanese architect, emphasizes negative space and spatial circulation. His minimalist approach highlights materials, particularly concrete, fostering a connection with the building and its surroundings.
Guided by these concepts, Eloise and Matt, together with Cumulus Studio, designed a home that descends with the site. At its heart is fire: the Cheminees Philippe double-sided fireplace, which does much more than heat the house. Taking up a lot of the budget — “half fireplace, half house,” says Grand Designs Australia TV host Peter Maddison — the fireplace also provides hot water in a “wet back” system. Wrapped in an off-form concrete structure, it serves as a key architectural feature in the living/dining space, evoking Ando’s work in Naoshima.
“It (the fireplace) was very difficult to build and took a lot longer than Matt had anticipated. At times during the build, we questioned our sanity over it but now that we have completed the build, we love it,” says Eloise.
Desiring a modern, minimalist interior like Ando’s designs, Eloise also wanted a “French farmhouse vibe,” reminiscent of her childhood, where “family life was spent around the kitchen table.” A large dining table in the center of the kitchen/dining space serves as both a table and an island bench, inviting gathering. The material and color palette reflects a mix of styles, with a “mainly black and white interior … and added color in soft furnishings.”
At the beginning of the build, it was just Eloise and Matt. Now, with their dream home complete, they are a family of six — two kids with another on the way, and a Great Dane. While the house would’ve been perfect for just them and “a lot cleaner,” Tamar House is now a fully functioning family home and a true “labour of love.”
“I think that we have accomplished a great deal on a small budget … the house is standing there today because of Matt’s perseverance and Cumulus’ interpretation of our vision,” reflects Eloise.
Photography: Rhiannon Slater
