BLOCKBUSTER CRED MAKES THIS HOME A STAR

Every house claims to be picture-perfect when it hits the market, but this grand five-bedroom home in Melbourne’s Surrey Hills has Hollywood’s stamp of approval.

The contemporary two-storey house was hand-picked by movie location scouts to feature in the $80 million Zac Efron-driven film, Nicky Stanicky.

Out last year, the movie also stars former pro-wrestler turned Hollywood heavyweight John Cena and Academy Award nominee William H Macy. Set in Providence, Rhode Island, with scenes in Atlantic City and New Jersey, the production was actually filmed in various Melbourne suburbs.

The modern suburban residence has all the hallmarks of a US family home, with its Hamptons-style facade and vast proportions measuring 650sq m of internal space.

Just listed with Kay & Burton Boroondara team, Scott Patterson, Walter Dodich and Jacqui Bendall, the Norfolk Rd property is set to go under the hammer on August 23 with a price guide of $5.5 million to $5.9 million.

After appearing on the big screen, the home has piqued the interest of several filmmakers (including Neighbours producers before the show was axed) and is still on the books to feature in other filming projects, if the new owners are keen to play the role.

In Australia, private residences can earn between $1000 and $5000 a day when used in the media – from magazine shoots to blockbuster movies.

The 2016 house sits on a 996sq m block and is home to a versatile floor plan with multiple entertaining spaces over both levels.

On the spacious ground floor, there is a central family room with an Escea fireplace anchoring the footprint, with an adjoining state-of-the-art Gaggenau and Miele kitchen that has a butler’s pantry, an expansive stone island bench, pyrolytic and steam ovens, an integrated coffee machine, a dishwasher, and a Vintec wine fridge.

A large dining room with bespoke wine storage opens via stacker doors to an undercover alfresco area with ceiling fans, a built-in Zeigler & Brown barbecue, sink, and a fridge for all weather gatherings around the pool and half basketball court.

This lower level also houses a dramatic entryway crowned with a 4m void, a formal lounge room with another fireplace, a separate study overlooking the pool area, powder room, and a primary bedroom featuring a walk-in wardrobe, a bath ensuite, and an illuminating skylight.

Upstairs, there are four more spacious bedrooms, including one with a two-way wardrobe and bathroom. Additionally, the level has a full family bathroom, a powder room, a walk-in linen press featuring a handy chute to the laundry below, and a huge media room or kids’ breakout space.

Other attributes of the Melbourne property include a poolside cabana with toilet and outdoor shower, French oak parquet floors, zoned central air-conditioning, ducted vacuuming, a security alarm, in-built speakers, automatic blinds, front electric gates, and an internal remote-control double garage.

Close to Union Station, the property is near sought-after schools, Surrey Hills cafes and shops, as well as Wattle Park, Deakin University, and Box Hill Central.

Kay & Burton agent Scott Patterson is auctioning 14 Norfolk Road, Surrey Hills on August 23 at 2pm with the indicative price guide of $5.5 million to $5.9 million.

Australia’s housing debate is often dominated by affordability and supply, but a new collaboration between Brickworks and acclaimed architecture firm Kennedy Nolan argues the conversation should also focus on the quality and longevity of the homes being built.

The project, titled Our Next Neighbourhood, examines how suburban housing could evolve in response to shrinking block sizes, rising energy costs, increasing density and changing family structures.

Rather than proposing luxury dream homes, the initiative focuses on what its creators describe as achievable suburban housing models that are more flexible, sustainable, and better suited to modern Australian life.

Brickworks commissioned Kennedy Nolan to investigate what suburban housing might look like if “design, long-term liveability and enduring materials were placed at the centre of the conversation”.

The result is two housing concepts, known as the Street Terrace and Canopy Terrace, which explore higher-density living while maintaining access to green space, natural light and privacy.

The designs incorporate adaptable floorplans that can evolve as family needs change, along with passive design principles intended to reduce reliance on mechanical heating and cooling.

Brett Ward, General Manager of Marketing at Brickworks, said the company wanted to broaden the discussion around housing beyond simply increasing supply.

“Much of the housing conversation today is understandably focused on supply and affordability, but there is an equally important discussion to be had about the quality and longevity of the homes we build,” he said.

“We wanted to explore how thoughtful design, combined with durable, resilient materials, could create homes that not only function well today, but continue to support Australian families and communities long into the future.”

Kennedy Nolan said the project was partly inspired by concerns that contemporary housing often struggles to adapt to changing household structures and environmental pressures.

The architects said innovation in suburban housing was “essential” to address changing family groupings, energy use, urban heat island effects and growing disconnection from place.

According to the design team, the concepts draw on lessons from some of Australia’s most influential housing projects while seeking to create neighbourhoods with stronger links to landscape, community and local identity.

Rachel Nolan, founder of Kennedy Nolan, said the practice saw an opportunity to reimagine suburban housing as something “more connected to our climate, our landscape, our communities and our Australian identity”.

The project comes as policymakers, developers and planners continue searching for ways to deliver more housing without sacrificing liveability, neighbourhood character or long-term sustainability.

BLOCKBUSTER CRED MAKES THIS HOME A STAR

This Surrey Hills stunner has starred alongside Zac Efron and John Cena. Now the five-bedroom showpiece is ready for its next leading role.

Brickworks has enlisted acclaimed architecture studio Kennedy Nolan to explore how homes could become more adaptable, energy-efficient and connected to community.