Wheelers Hill Home
Wheelers Hill House is a beautiful exploration of how architecture can translate the quiet, grounded essence of a country property into a refined suburban context. Tasked with designing a residence for clients moving from a larger acreage, Matyas Architects crafted a tranquil, light-filled home that captures the warmth and scale of rural living without feeling out of place on a suburban street. The result is a striking, generously proportioned dwelling defined by its sweeping roofline and an incredibly tactile, earthy palette.
To successfully bridge the gap between pastoral character and suburban refinement, the facade required a material that possessed inherent depth and history. Krause Emperor Bricks in an earthy, nuanced Ghost blend were selected to anchor the design. The signature elongated profile of the Emperor format beautifully accentuates the home’s long horizontal planes, while the handcrafted, authentic nature of the clay ensures the new build feels intimately tied to the earth.
- Bricks
- Krause Emperor Bricks in Ghost
- Design
- Matyas Architects
- Build
- Markus Builders
- Landscaping
- LePage Design
- Supplier
- Robertson’s Building Products
- Photos
- Alex Reinders
"Face brick is a predominant material used in the neighbourhood, so that informed our decision to select it. We wanted to do something that wasn't competing with the buildings but related to the existing streetscape. And we wanted a handcrafted feel, so that's where the Krause Emperor bricks come into their own. The bricks achieved the handmade qualities we were looking for, with their subtle variation in finishes and colour."
To elevate the masonry even further, the design team applied a delicate concrete slurry across the exterior. This bespoke bagged finish softens the facade, creating a beautifully muted, textural skin that still allows the natural, subtle color variations of the Ghost clay to push through. Paired with rich Blackbutt timber ceilings and expansive glazing, the bespoke brickwork helps cultivate a sanctuary that is both architecturally bold and inherently peaceful.
