An Architectural Dwelling on the Great Ocean Road
Images by Madeleine Burke
The home of architect Jeremy Anderson is a lesson in quiet restraint. Located in Jan Juc, along the rugged Victorian coastline it rises from the bushland; perfectly and purposefully designed. On a blustery morning, we pay a visit to Jeremy’s most prized project in the Eldridge Anderson portfolio, the family home he shares with wife, Claire and their daughter Elki. Here, we learn how their home has shifted with the seasons (both by life, and the elements) - and his current projects: each one beginning ‘as a conversation with the land’.
On the family home…
“Our home was a chance to build something deeply personal — a vessel for our own lives that could also explore the architectural ideas that have long guided us. We wanted restraint, a quietness, a purity of intent — the qualities we admire in the great works we return to again and again.”
“It had to be a place for now and for the years ahead, a home for two that could grow with a family, a space both fluid and adaptable. We conceived it as a single volume that could be divided into zones that could ebb and flow with the rhythms of daily life.”
In truth, the whole house can be traced back to that simple pleasure: a deck beneath the gums, a place to feel both open and held.
“Before we built, we lived for years in a small, weary brick house on the same site. That time was precious: it clarified what we loved most — sitting in the backyard beneath the gum tree, bathed in northern light, sheltered by branches, cooled by the sea breeze. In truth, the whole house can be traced back to that simple pleasure: a deck beneath the gums, a place to feel both open and held.”
“Now, four years on, what I love most is the way the house shifts with the seasons. The living spaces open entirely to the garden, or close down to hold warmth and intimacy. Screens filter the light, doors slide away, and the house breathes with us. It is generous in its flexibility, offering both openness and seclusion. The house feels like it is gracefully aging as the timber develops patina and the garden envelopes the site.”
The family's dining table is layered with our 100% Linen Table Cloth in White & Napkins in Stone
On the bedrooms…
“Each bedroom is oriented to create its own experience, but the main room feels especially suspended in its setting — elevated, cradled by trees, looking toward the cliffs of Jan Juc.”
“Glazed doors to the east and west open much of the year, with timber screens softening the light and preserving privacy. It’s a special space when mornings arrive with a subtle glow; nights fall with the crashing of distant waves and the songs of birds at dawn.”
“We thought carefully about the qualities these spaces might hold — the darkness of the stairwell, the shifting shadow of leaves on plywood, the stillness of morning light. But more than drama, we sought composure: a sense of calm that allows the daily rituals of life to unfold with ease. The bedroom holds that balance — serene, filtered, gently alive.”
We sought composure: a sense of calm that allows the daily rituals of life to unfold with ease.
On Jeremy’s chosen IN BED pieces…
“When we first moved in, the IN BED pieces were among the very first things we chose. The quilted cover is a winter favourite — its weight is reassuring, the perfect counter to a cold night.”
“We keep linen sets in cool grey and chestnut, changing them with the seasons so the tones of the room shift with the light. It’s a simple pleasure, but one that makes the passing of time feel more present in the home.”
Elki's bed is made with our two-tone quilted bed cover in Chestnut & Mist
On objects of significance…
“We live quite minimally, so the few objects we do keep carry meaning. Two tumbled aluminium lamps from Studio Henry Wilson sit in our home — soft, crafted lights that we turn to in the evenings.”
“Books too are treasures. Glenn Murcutt’s folio is one I return to often, as is Peter Zumthor’s Dear to Me, which rests by my bed. And from our time in Japan, we brought back two Noguchi lamps — their warm glow at night compliments the quality of light that is present during the day.”
“Perhaps the most practical yet precious item is my passport.”
The main bed is dressed with our European linen bedding, in a monochromatic choice of earthy Chestnut
On Eldridge Anderson Architects, and how the practice came to be…
“Eldridge Anderson began quietly, as many practices do — through small projects for friends and family that grew into something larger before we even realised it. Scott Eldridge and I founded the practice back in 2016 and have developed our design approach around our shared experiences living in this unique environment.”
“Our work is rooted in its setting. Each project begins as a conversation with the land — with light and shadow, with the rhythm of the seasons, with the people who will one day inhabit the place. We try to let those elements guide us, so that the buildings feel inevitable, as though they’ve always belonged.”
“It is about the people who will experience the place, who will touch the walls, who will walk the floors. And in this quiet exchange, something enduring is made.”
Our work is rooted in its setting. Each project begins as a conversation with the land — with light and shadow, with the rhythm of the seasons, with the people who will one day inhabit the place.
“More recently many of our projects are rural or coastal projects which we feel very privileged to be able to work on such special sites.”
“We have worked on properties in more urban settings as well and we also really enjoy this type of work, sometimes the constraints of those sites can actually be quite freeing.”
“When we work on more rural or coastal sites we find our approach is driven by a conversation with the land. We spend a lot of time walking the site, sketching and getting a thorough understanding of the wind, light, the subtleties of the land. We have been fortunate enough to work on some culturally significant sites as well and walking the site with aboriginal elders has given us another perspective and genuine care for the land we are working on.”
“There are also many challenges that come with working on any site and we find that we do tend to be approached to work on some of the more challenging properties.”
“Outside of the regulatory challenges that come with our profession, working on larger regional sites can be particularly challenging. For example, a recent project we are hoping to start on site later this year in Hobart required several days of walking the site to understand where the building should be situated.”
“Similarly a beautiful project in Gnarwarre outside of Geelong, required many return visits subtly adjusting the location of the building and each time we returned the site felt very different depending on the wind, light, the density of the trees."
On favourite projects to date…
“I think Scott and I would answer this differently but outside of my own house, we have a number of projects we have either recently finished or are about to start construction which we are really excited by.”
“Scott has a particular fondness for the directness of our Ballarat House which was our first project.”
“I have been really enjoying a project we have just completed called South Beach House which we will be photographing in the coming months. But equally we have projects in Wye River, Hobart, Gnarwarre and we are about to begin a small resort in the Philippines which we are very excited by.”
“But as Scott and I are involved so heavily in each aspect of all of the projects we work on, we tend to find something special about each project we work on and sometimes some of the most challenging projects are the most rewarding.”
On the draw of Jan Juc…
“Jan Juc feels like a small village, quietly apart from the hurried development that has swept much of the coast. In summer, it’s walking to the café in wet boardshorts, or wandering down to the beach before the crowds arrive.”
“Living by the water has always mattered to us. Here, the hills, the trees, the modest shacks by the shore — all of it creates a place that feels unspoiled, still rooted in its surfing town spirit.”
In the light dappled bathroom hang our organic cotton bath towels in Khaki Stripe
On where to visit in Jan Juc…
“Part of Jan Juc’s charm is its lack of shops, but nearby, we love Mortadeli in Torquay or Pond Café for long, lazy breakfasts. A la Grecque in Aireys Inlet is a favourite for Greek food by the sea.”
“On warm evenings, my daughter loves fish and chips at Point Danger as the sun dips and the crowds disperse — searching for cowrie shells together. And of course, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to beaches here, though some secrets we’ll keep.”
On what’s next…
“In practice, we’re excited to see long-nurtured projects begin construction — works that have challenged us and grown with us. Some of these projects have been in development for years now so seeing them come to life will be particularly rewarding.”
“Personally, although at heart I am truly a mountain person and the pull of the mountains is ever present. This year I am looking forward to summer — long days by the sea, teaching my daughter to surf, sharing with her the joy of water and salt and light.”
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