The teens that live in this heavenly house must be the envy of the other neighbourhood kids. With lots of peek-a-boo windows and plenty of greenspaces, it’s the ultimate in kid cool. Totoro House is a family home, a joyous space filled with light and laughter. It has also very aptly nailed the indoor-outdoor connection.
The renovation project involved extending an existing Federation-period home to accommodate additional living areas and greenspaces. The existing dwelling had a sense of detachment and disengagement from the garden and outdoor spaces. The extension and remodelling were designed to remedy these shortcomings.
Totoro is home to a couple with three teenagers and the family pooch. The existing spaces included two bedrooms, a guest room, master bedroom with an ensuite and a bathroom. The new extension has generous living spaces that link seamlessly to greenspaces. Clinton Cole from CplusC Architects + Builders and Ryan Ng from Walless Architecture note the home reflects the Japanese concept of “Shakkei”, or “borrowed scenery”. Its design focus is to congenially bridge the relationship between interior and exterior spaces.
Inside the contemporary interiors, the circular windows off er cosy spaces to curl up with a book or simply daydream. Some have fixed panelling, with an opening for breezes to flow through.
The circular theme continues with the dining space, defined by a level change marked by several open-tread steps that take you to the kitchen space with its beautiful, curved benchtop. Soft white cabinetry with feature timber pullhandles complements the space. The mood is light, a quiet luxury underscored
with organic zest and lots of natural light. The colour palette — shades of green, earthy timbers and cool white — connects to nature. Timber joinery and open shelving feature. Above, planter boxes with flowing greenery spill over, reinforcing the biophilic design — a modality that bridges the gap between nature and built form, creating environments that fully and richly engage the senses and reconnect us with the
natural world.
The bathrooms are modern with clean lines, white tiling and minimalist refined detailing. Bedrooms are contemporary and comfortable.
As part of the brief, the clients also wanted to accommodate and celebrate movement and dance through their children’s love of ballet and tap. With a stunning leafy backdrop, wide deck spaces and interiors, there is plenty of space to break out their dance moves.
Large sliding and bifold timber-framed doors open from the living spaces to connect indoors and out. It’s this sense of harmony and flow, between the built form and the exterior gardens, that defines this abode. It is visible outside how the spaces of green slowly merge with the building — it’s about removing boundaries. The deck area looks out over the lawn and the alfresco space continues the theme. Climbers fi xed to the exterior blur the lines between nature and the home’s exterior. The design of the rear spaces also considered neighbouring properties, ensuring visual amenity and privacy was respected.
It was clear from the very beginning what the objectives of the project would be. Where possible, materials were reused, illustrating the architects’ commitment to sustainable building. As an example, the sandstone foundations demolished in the renovation were reused in the garden, a decision that not only reduced site waste, but maximised the material’s lifespan. Cutoffs were also used in the brass cladding of
the circular windows. Solar and rainwater tanks support the homeowner’s approach to sustainable living.
The architects note that the inspiration for the design was Studio Ghibli’s animated fantasy My Neighbour Totoro. Its underlying theme was that relationships between family, friends and nature are important — and its significance in Totoro House is profound.
