A striking single-story family home in Melbourne's Hawthorn suburb draws architectural inspiration from temple and basilica designs, creating what its architect describes as "quiet but powerful forms." Temple House, designed by local studio J Kidman Architecture in collaboration with interior design practices Golden and Studio Tali Roth, serves as a contemporary residence for a family of five on a deep, narrow plot.
The home's distinctive plan centers around two garden courtyards that maximize natural light throughout the linear site, resulting in an almost symmetrical layout. James Reid, founder of J Kidman Architecture, deliberately compared this organizational strategy to that of a basilica or place of worship, which directly influenced both the project's name and its overall design philosophy. "Equivalent conditions to the atrium, narthex, aisles, and nave of a cathedral or basilica, all in strong axial relationships, with a strong sense of ceremony and formality, the plan was really a kind of remixed basilica," Reid explained.
The architectural concept extends beyond mere spatial organization to encompass the building's material expression and atmospheric qualities. "So we followed that cue and leaned into the idea of a domestic temple for the form of the building, imagining a building of quiet but powerful forms that invited contemplation," Reid added. This temple-inspired approach influenced not only the exterior massing but also interior details, including Golden's bathroom designs that were recently shortlisted in the bathroom interior category of Dezeen Awards 2025.
Visitors approach the residence through a side passage alongside a garage, where they encounter a monolithic section of curved wall clad in ribbed limestone tiles. This imposing entrance wall conceals an entry hall featuring large apertures in its corners that offer glimpses into the spaces beyond. The design creates a sense of anticipation and discovery as occupants move through the carefully choreographed sequence of spaces.
A long corridor establishes the primary axis through the entire site, leading to the home's dramatic centerpiece: a double-height living, dining, and kitchen area positioned to the east. This expansive communal space sits beneath a large trapezoid-shaped roof and connects directly to both courtyards through sliding glass doors and extensive frameless glazing. The glazing extends upward to create distinctive "lantern" features in each corner, flooding the interior with natural light while maintaining visual connections to the landscaped outdoor spaces.
The northern courtyard, designed by landscape architects Plume Studio, terminates in a geometric swimming pool that visitors access by crossing a small decorative moat. This water feature adds an element of ceremony to the approach, reinforcing the temple-like qualities that permeate the design. The southern courtyard offers a more contemplative character, featuring perimeter planting and built-in bench seating visible from the main bedroom through a large, arched opening.
Central sections of stone wall support the substantial roof overhang on either side, while steel columns and purpose-built canopies divide the garden areas into distinct zones for seating and planting. These structural elements are designed to support climbing plants over time, allowing the landscape to integrate more fully with the architecture. The exterior surfaces throughout feature pale, bagged masonry that provides a subtly textured appearance while maintaining the monolithic quality essential to the design concept.
Inside, the collaborative interior design approach by Golden and Studio Tali Roth centers the living space around a striking green marble kitchen. This culinary focal point is flanked by a dark green modular sofa and a substantial stainless steel dining table designed to accommodate up to 12 people. The material palette deliberately embraces what Tali Roth describes as "brutalist" elements including stone, pale wood, and various metals.
"The brutalist nature of the chosen materials – stone, pale wood and metals – and the ceiling heights could call for a hostile and not inviting space," Studio Tali Roth founder Tali Roth told Dezeen. "My task was to work with that and ensure it was supremely inviting and cozy," she added. This challenge of balancing monumental scale with domestic comfort runs throughout the project, requiring careful attention to proportion, lighting, and material warmth.
The home's private spaces are strategically distributed along the central circulation spine. Smaller bedrooms occupy the southern end of the main corridor, while the northern terminus features a flexible den that can serve as a guest bedroom when needed. This arrangement maintains the temple-like procession through the home while providing appropriate privacy and functionality for family life.
Temple House represents a significant addition to Melbourne's contemporary residential architecture, joining other notable recent projects in the city. The project demonstrates how classical architectural principles can be reinterpreted for modern family living, creating spaces that are both monumental and intimate, formal and comfortable. The collaboration between J Kidman Architecture, Golden, and Studio Tali Roth showcases the potential for interdisciplinary design approaches to create residences that transcend typical domestic expectations.
