Artist and writer retreats are often situated in bucolic, peaceful locations where one can effortlessly tune out the noise to turn on the creative juices. River Bend House, set under towering eucalyptus trees and above the Birrarung (aka Yara) River near Melbourne, Australia, is similar in this way—but entirely unique in its design pedigree. The original structure was built by notable mid-century architect and environmentalist Alistair Knox, and after nearly a decade of neglect and decay (think: squatters in the house, a carpet of ivy on the roof, rotting cabinets in the kitchen), it was thoughtfully restored by architect Vaughan Howard after his brother, Eugene Howard, rescued it from ruin, with plans to turn it into an artist retreat.

“I grew up just up the river from River Bend House, in the bushland suburb of North Warrandyte,” says Vaughan. “My brother Eugene started a not-for-profit arts organization [InPlace] to save a number of houses in an environmental reserve from demolition. He worked pro-bono for a number of years to establish philanthropic support to restore the houses and facilitate artists coming to spend time in an area of deep cultural, social and environmental significance.”

Working with an extremely tight budget, Vaughan enlisted friends and colleagues to volunteer on the project, and local artisans to donate their works. “There was a rich cultural history to draw on for the renovation, especially the history of craft in this area [in particular, ceramics] and the history of ‘Bush Modernism’ and self-built houses. In many ways, we completed the work in the spirit of the original houses built in the area, crafted by friends and colleagues, and fitted out with beautiful objects from local makers and designers.”

The response so far from the artists who have had residencies at River Bend? “There are a lot of First Nations and diaspora artists who have spent time here, and often their practices deal with the legacy of colonization and lost culture,” says Vaughan. “There has been a consistent response that River Bend feels to them like a healing place.”

Below, the architect shares the details on the remarkable restoration.

Photography by Sean Fennessy, courtesy of Vaughan Howard Architects, unless otherwise noted.

See also:

• Prospect & Refuge: A Spectacular Coastal Home Both Wild and Cozy
• Above & Beyond: A Sensitive Remodel That Celebrates the ‘Undercroft’ in Brisbane, Australia
• Far and Away the Best: A Laid-Back Cottage in the Hinterlands of Australia’s East Coast