The Historical Significance of the Ivanhoe Project: Two Families Share View 

Our Ivanhoe project, the former Beddison Swift House, was originally constructed in 1963. Just two years later, it was featured in the widely read magazine Australian Home Beautiful in a two-page spread titled “Two Families Share View”, highlighting its innovative design for multigenerational living.

Excerpt from Australian Home Beautiful (1965)

This dual house, at 3 Crown Road., Ivanhoe, was designed by Guilford Bell and Neil Clerehan Pty. Ltd., to house a family and grandparents.

The site sloped to the rear overlook Merri Creek [misidentified?] and the Latrobe golf course. The family is Mr and Mrs O. R. Beddison and their children, and the grandparents are Mr and Mrs D. Swift.

As the unit was two-storeyed, the slope was graded to varying levels to minimise the contrast between the rear unit and the single-storeyed front unit occupied by the grandparents. These units were off-set and main rooms placed to the rear to the get the view. Both bedrooms and bathrooms of the front flat overlook the garden, so these rooms were given full-height glazed double doors. Toilet and passage of this unit were lit and ventilated by a dome-light, and the kitchen, living and dining rooms open planned.

Hall, large living-dining room and kitchen are on the ground floor of the rear unit, and three bedrooms and a store-dressing room are on the first floor. The store room can convert to an additional shower room later. All necessary pipes and vents have been built in. This storey’s hall and dressing room are lit and ventilated by plastic roof domes.

All internal timber is limed natural-finish mountain oak. Wall construction is Besser sandstone veneer. Both units draw hot water and heating from an oil-fired system. There are many built-ins and shelves. Roof is steel decking with fibreglass insulation.

A common soundproofed hatch in the dividing wall between the two units houses the telephones for both units so either phone can be answered from either unit.

Garden paths, and approaches to the terrace at the rear of the front unit have been ramped instead of stepped between the different levels for easy negotiation by Mr and Mrs Swift.

Historical Reference

This extract from the original Australian Home Beautiful article draws on the Banyule Heritage Study 2020.

Learn More About the Ivanhoe Project

Discover further insights into our sensitive renovation, alteration, and decking extension of the Ivanhoe project, located in a leafy suburb of Melbourne and formerly known as the Beddison Swift House, by following this link.

Awards Recognition

Click here to explore our journey as judges shortlisted us for two prestigious Houses Awards in 2024.

Featured Articles

For an in-depth exploration of the Beddison Swift House by Neil Clerehan and Guilford Bell, you can read the Houses Revisited article here. Additional coverage is also available in the ArchitectureAU article, accessible here.

Heritage Renovation Guidance

Planning a heritage renovation can feel overwhelming. We can guide you through the process, get in touch here to discuss your project.