The Lovie House at 7 Tennant Place, Jerrabomberra, was designed and built by Geoff Lovie in 1998. The colourful house has attracted attention and many curious onlookers to this suburb of Queanbeyan, located about 10km from Canberra’s centre.

The house is an excellent and unique (in the Canberra area) example of the late twentieth century post-modern style with its outgoing approach to forms, materials and colour. The house won an RAIA Merit Award in 1998.

Description

Entry is at ground level, with the simple front door sheltered from above by a bright yellow protruding volume which is part of the upper living and dining area. Two sleeping areas are on the lower level while the kitchen, dining and living areas are on the upper level. The cooking and dining area is separated from the living area by the staircase well, which is in the center of the house.

Taking advantage of the sloping site, a wooden bridge and deck area links the upper level of the house to the garden at the rear.

The aim of the design has been to simplify the functions of the house by maximising space and reducing the number of interior fittings and fixtures. There are no corridors, multiple bathrooms or defined, formal dining spaces.

The house is cost and energy efficient and friendly to the environment. The strong use of colour on the exterior provides an effective contrast with the inside of the house, which makes extensive use of natural timbers.