Great grand-father with walker, and great grand-son, walking towards the front door via the study window to the entrance.
Mother walking in the kitchen. Window splash back to boundary fence.
Main entry foyer. Lift, stairwell, entry to main residence and grandchildren on level one.
Main residence ensuite with accessible features, seamless concrete floors throughout, built-in bath which can be used as a seat and a large shower for walker or wheelchair access.
Small, and functional backyard that can entertain people of all ages. Four generations under one dramatically curved roof. The secret window in the pool, lets light into the basement.

One House. Four Generations.

+ Add to Itinerary

Architect/Designer: Gisele Benkemoun (architectural designer), La Vie (ageing-in-place consultant) 2014. Anthony Larne Constructions (builder) 2022.

Description

One House. Four Generations. is a lived-in, multigenerational, ageing-in-place home conceived as an adaptable framework rather than a fixed domestic object. Designed to support care, independence and togetherness across changing stages and abilities, the house allows family members to live alongside one another while preserving privacy, dignity and autonomy.

The architecture is quietly responsive. Step-free thresholds, generous circulation, adaptable rooms and carefully calibrated shared and private spaces are embedded seamlessly into the fabric of the home, allowing it to flex over time as family structures evolve. Ageing grandparents, parents, adult children and grandchildren are accommodated not through separation, but through spatial generosity and thoughtful planning.

Both restrained and robust, the house balances accessibility with domestic warmth. It operates as a blank canvas for family life; capable of absorbing change without losing clarity or character. Open for Open House Melbourne, this private residence offers a rare opportunity to experience how contemporary domestic architecture can support longevity, connection and care in one house, lived fully over time.

What's On

Join architectural designer, Gisele Benkemoun, for a guided walkthrough. During each tour, she will discuss key architectural strategies that enable ageing-in-place, including spatial planning, circulation, adaptability and discreet accessibility, explained in situ as the house is experienced.

Drawings, models and visual material will be available throughout the visit, offering insight into the design and documentation process from concept to completion. No additional programming or parallel events are planned; the focus is on direct engagement with the architecture through guided exploration and discussion.

In Collaboration With:

  • La Vie - Future-Proofed Living

    La Vie redefines future-ready living through design that prioritises what matters most.

    We specialise in ageing-in-place design, development, and consulting; creating homes and communities conceived as adaptable frameworks rather than fixed outcomes. Our work supports care, independence, and connection across changing life stages, allowing people to live alongside one another with dignity, privacy, and autonomy.

    Our approach is quietly responsive. Through step-free planning, generous circulation, and carefully balanced shared and private spaces, we embed flexibility seamlessly into the fabric of each project. The result is architecture that evolves over time, accommodating multigenerational living without compromise or institutional expression.

    Every project is grounded in five essential pillars: Futureproof Design, Location, Connection, Security, and Financial Sustainability. Together, these principles shape environments that support longevity, resilience, and quality of life.

    We collaborate with architects, developers, and families to deliver considered, enduring spaces; homes that are not only designed for today, but capable of supporting whatever comes next.

  • Anthony Larne Constructions

    With over 18 years of experience in the building industry, Anthony Larne Constructions has earned a reputation for delivering homes that balance architectural elegance with enduring quality.
    Founded by awarded-winning master builder Anthony Larne, the company was built on a passion for exceptional craftsmanship and a deep understanding of how thoughtful design enhances everyday living.
    Anthony’s vision—shaped by his many years of hands-on experience and an unwavering commitment to excellence—is reflected in every detail of the homes we create. From timeless facades to finely finished interiors, our builds are tailored to suit the unique lifestyles and aspirations of our clients.

Images: (1-5) 3 Nicholls Street, Malvern. All photos: Tess Kelly Photography.

Important Details

Tour/event summary information

Saturday 25 July
Tours running every hour starting at 10am. Last tour departs at 4pm

Sunday 26 July
Tours running every hour starting at 10am. Last tour departs at 3pm
Running for 40 minutes in groups of 10

Bookings

Bookings required—$7 booking fee applies
First release tickets: 12pm Wednesday 1 July
Second release tickets: 10am Saturday 4 July

Book

Meeting Point

Specific address provided to ticketholders in their registration confirmation email. 
Meet in the driveway. No food or drink allowed inside. Photography upon request.

Accessibility

Lift access to all public levels, Accessible bathrooms, All-gender bathrooms, Ramp or level (step free) entry, All ages

The lift to all levels, will accommodate a walker and foldable wheelchairs. The main residence on the ground floor is fully accessible and welcomes all visitors.

Location

Malvern VIC 3144

Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country

What's on nearby

Explore Precinct
Photograph of the red brick facade of the old Malvern Fire Station building showing the large red doors, which previously allowed access to fire engines and is now the front entrance to Firestation Print Studio.
Firestation Print Studio

Saturday 25 July

Karl Duldig's Artist's Studio: The Studio is rectangular with a wood interior. There are many modernist abstract and figurative sculptures displayed throughout the studio. The sculptures are made of clay, bronze and plaster. The studio if full of art. The left side of the studio features large glass windows onto the leafy Sculpture Garden.
Duldig Studio: Home is Where the Art is

Sunday 26 July

The first image shows a modern house exterior with a curved beige facade, flanked by trees and a picket fence.
Materia: A St Kilda Passivhaus

Friday 24 July, Saturday 25 July, Sunday 26 July

The exterior of the Melbourne Holocaust Museum features modern brickwork with a lit-up sign and windows under a twilight sky..
Melbourne Holocaust Museum

Friday 24 July, Sunday 26 July

Stay in the loop