The home of the Sederof family in Brunswick is a brilliant example of what can be achieved when two passionate designers create their own home from scratch. Every detail here has been carefully considered for aesthetics, functionality and efficiency, and the home has a seriously impressive 9.5 star energy rating.
Andreas and Judy Sederof have run their own design company, Sunpower Design, specialising in sustainable homes, for the past 30 years. Andreas is a building designer and engineer, whilst Judy is responsible for the interior design (in her own time, she’s also a talented photographer). Together Judy and Andreas designed their home, and had it constructed by Martin Brothers Builders. They live here with their daughter Samantha, who is studying Visual Merchandising at RMIT, and runs her own jewellery label, SAMIAM.
Having always wanted to build their own home, Judy and Andreas hunted for a long time to find a block of land suitable for this dream project. When they came across a vacant block backing onto the Merri creek in East Brunswick, they knew they had found their spot. The site was subdivided by Judy and Andreas to accommodate two units (friends live in the unit in front). This enabled Judy and Andreas to downsize both their life and work.
‘This project is an example of what we could achieve by having the benefits of an inner Melbourne lifestyle, with a greatly reduced environmental impact and a high quality of life’ Judy says. The homes energy bills are absolutely minimal, with solar hot water, triple glazing, external shading, a 3.5kw photovoltaic power system, and rainwater tanks for toilet flushing and garden watering.
Inside, the house has a contemporary Scandinavian feel, with European Beech wall cladding and a pared back aesthetic. Most of the furniture has been purchased from second hand dealers, and the space is decorated with a number of beautiful photographic prints by Judy, and paintings by their daughter Samantha.
’We have loved having the opportunity to finally design and construct our own home, after 30 years of designing for our clients’ Judy says of the home they have created here. Surrounded by gum trees bordering the creek, and with enough space to live, work and pursue their respective creative passions all under one roof, it’s clear the Sederof family have created their ‘forever home’ here.
