- Project: Ripple House
- Architect: Atlas Architects
- Location: Australia, Glen Iris, Victoria
- Year: 2025
- Area: 303 m2
- Photography: Tess Kelly
Ripple House by Atlas Architects in Glen Iris is a sculptural forever home that reimagines suburban living. Designed with fluid curves, sustainable features, and accessibility at its core, the residence reflects a vision of timeless design and adaptability. More than just a striking form, Ripple House embodies the principles of long-term comfort, low maintenance, and harmony between architecture and lifestyle.Project Overview
Situated in Melbourne’s eastern suburb of Glen Iris, Ripple House was conceived as a permanent residence for a couple preparing for the next stage of life. The design brief emphasized three essentials:
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Accessibility: A layout that allows for aging in place.
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Low Maintenance: Materials and finishes that reduce upkeep.
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Sculptural Identity: A bold, expressive design that stands apart from typical suburban houses.
The house covers 303 m² across two levels, with all primary living spaces located on the ground floor. Secondary spaces and guest areas are positioned upstairs, ensuring flexibility without compromising accessibility.
Design Concept & Spatial Strategy
Sculptural Language
The defining feature of Ripple House is its rippling architectural form. Instead of conforming to straight suburban typologies, the architects introduced fluid curves that wrap the façade and shape the interiors. These soft lines guide the eye, create a sense of movement, and differentiate the home from its rectilinear neighbors.
Central Courtyard
At the heart of the design lies a north-facing courtyard that floods the interiors with natural light while enhancing cross-ventilation. This feature eliminates the need for dark corridors and ensures that every space feels connected to the outdoors.
Aging-in-Place Approach
The clients envisioned Ripple House as their forever home. In response, Atlas Architects ensured all essential living functions—kitchen, dining, living room, and master suite—were situated on the ground floor. The upper level is reserved for guests, future caregivers, or flexible family needs, allowing the home to evolve gracefully over time.
Materials, Façade & Detailing
Exterior Palette
Ripple House balances bold form with a restrained material palette. The ground floor is anchored with pale brickwork, providing durability and visual grounding. Above, curved corrugated steel cladding forms the sculptural “ripple” that defines the residence. Vertical aluminum battens complete the composition, creating rhythmic shadows that animate the façade throughout the day.
Interior Continuity
Inside, the material palette continues with concrete flooring, timber accents, and soft neutral finishes. Curved ceilings and bulkheads echo the external ripples, creating a seamless transition between interior and exterior. The result is a calm, cohesive atmosphere where every element feels intentional.
Low Maintenance
All materials were chosen for their longevity and minimal upkeep. Brick, metal, and aluminum ensure the house will age gracefully with little intervention, reflecting the owners’ request for a “zero-maintenance” home.
Interior & Spatial Experience
Entry & Circulation
Visitors are welcomed into a double-height void, immediately establishing a sense of openness and light. Movement flows around the central courtyard, with curved walls and ceilings guiding circulation naturally.
Living & Kitchen
The main living area opens directly to the courtyard through full-height sliding glass doors. This seamless connection dissolves the boundary between inside and outside. A sculptural kitchen island anchors the open-plan space, mirroring the home’s curved aesthetic while functioning as the social hub.
Private Spaces
The master suite is located on the ground floor, ensuring accessibility. Its ensuite features a cave-like shower—curved, tactile, and retreat-like. Secondary bedrooms and multipurpose spaces upstairs offer privacy and flexibility without disturbing the primary living environment.
Sustainability & Innovation
Ripple House integrates performance-driven strategies with design excellence:
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Passive solar design: Orientation maximizes winter sun while deep eaves reduce summer heat.
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Cross-ventilation: The courtyard promotes natural airflow, reducing reliance on mechanical cooling.
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High-performance glazing: Double-glazed windows enhance insulation and comfort.
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Solar power: Rooftop solar panels contribute to energy efficiency.
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Durable materials: Brick, corrugated steel, and aluminum ensure a long life span with minimal maintenance.
The integration of sustainability with sculptural form elevates Ripple House beyond a typical suburban dwelling.
Planning Challenges & Solutions
Building in Glen Iris required navigating strict planning controls around overshadowing, setbacks, and neighborhood character. Atlas Architects addressed these by:
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Modulating massing: The curved façade reduces bulk while preserving bold form.
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Responsive setbacks: The design respects neighbors’ privacy and light access.
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Articulated elevations: Shadows, textures, and curved surfaces break down scale, making the house both expressive and contextually sensitive.
This careful negotiation between regulation and creativity allowed Ripple House to stand out without disrupting its surroundings.
Unique Value & Lessons
What sets Ripple House apart is its ability to fuse artistry with pragmatism. Where many homes focus solely on appearance or performance, Ripple balances both:
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Sculptural beauty that enhances identity
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Accessibility that supports long-term living
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Sustainability that ensures future resilience
For suburban architecture, Ripple House demonstrates that bold design need not compromise functionality. It offers a model for how modern houses can adapt to lifestyle changes while still inspiring through form and detail.
Ripple House by Atlas Architects is more than a residence—it is a blueprint for the future of suburban living. With sculptural curves, universal accessibility, and sustainable strategies, it delivers a home that is as practical as it is inspiring. By addressing the challenges of aging-in-place, maintenance, and suburban constraints, Ripple House establishes itself as a benchmark project in contemporary Australian architecture.
