Architecture

Inside An Architect’s Beautifully Renovated 1970s Cottage (That You Can Stay In)

Walden Flinders is a Mornington Peninsula property that spans multiple buildings and architectural influences, but it all comes together in the hands of Justin Noxon.

The architect and director of Noxon bought the original 1970s cottage on site in 2009 as a family holiday house that has recently completed an extensive transformation. 

The cottage has received a sympathetic makeover, paired with the conversion of an existing garage into a studio, and the creation of a new shed, each containing an additional bedroom and bathroom. These additional structures collectively create a sprawling, one-of-a-kind home, which is now available as short-term holiday accommodation!

Written
by
Amelia Barnes

The renovated 1970s cottage is one of three buildings that make up Walden Flinders. Photo – Shannon McGrath. Styling – Natalie James

The new cottage window seat. ‘A small but significant insertion into the original cottage, it has opened a wonderful new aspect and connection with the hills beyond, whilst brightening the interior,’ says architect and owner Justin Noxon of the window seat. Photo – Shannon McGrath. Styling – Natalie James

Exposed brick in the cottage bedrooms. Artwork by Elspeth Noxon. Photo – Shannon McGrath. Styling – Natalie James

The cottage kitchen retains its original charm. Photo – Shannon McGrath. Styling – Natalie James

‘The original brick floor, whilst quirky in its pattern layout, was embellished and retained,’ says Justin. Photo – Shannon McGrath. Styling – Natalie James

The original garage was converted into a guest studio inclusive of a kitchenette, bathroom, and living room with a contemporary wood heater. Photo – Shannon McGrath. Styling – Natalie James

The renovated cottage bathroom. Photo – Shannon McGrath. Styling – Natalie James

The studio bathroom. Photo – Shannon McGrath. Styling – Natalie James

As the architect and owner-builder, Justin’s vision was to capture the essence and spirit of the original property. Photo – Shannon McGrath. Styling – Natalie James

A new bedroom was added to the cottage using recycled bricks from the verandah. Artwork by Elspeth Noxon. Photo – Shannon McGrath. Styling – Natalie James

Justin purchased the cottage in 2009, which was used in its original state as his family holiday house for over a decade. Photo – Shannon McGrath. Styling – Natalie James

‘We embraced the basic imperfect nature of the original in search of a quiet elemental simplicity as a balance to the busy bustle of weekly urban life in the city,’ Justin says. Photo – Shannon McGrath. Styling – Natalie James

 The original roof geometry and timber lining boards were repeated in the addition of the renovated cottage. Photo – Shannon McGrath. Styling – Natalie James

An outdoor bathroom set among the olive trees. Photo – Shannon McGrath. Styling – Natalie James

The new fire pit area, created in collaboration with Florian Wild and Formed Landscapes. Photo – Shannon McGrath. Styling – Natalie James

The final building on the property is the newly-built ‘shed’ with a distinct design identity. Photo – Shannon McGrath. Styling – Natalie James

Oriented strand board (OSB) lines the floors and ceiling of the shed, paired with concrete floors. Photo – Shannon McGrath. Styling – Natalie James

The general use of raw natural materials of brick, timber, and OSB, all softened by natural linens and leather soft furnishings, lends a calm throughout. Photo – Shannon McGrath. Styling – Natalie James

The shed bedroom. Photo – Shannon McGrath. Styling – Natalie James

Writer
Amelia Barnes
3rd of April 2023

This property in Flinders, on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, began as a rustic two-bedroom brick cottage and garage. Director of Noxon Justin Noxon purchased the cottage in 2009, which was used in its original state as his family holiday house for over a decade.

By 2019, the home and landscape (a mix of small orchard, cleared paddock, and native bush on eight acres) was due for a makeover. 

As the architect and owner-builder, Justin’s vision was to capture the essence and spirit of the original property, especially in the brick cottage. ‘We embraced the basic imperfect nature of the original in search of a quiet elemental simplicity as a balance to the busy bustle of weekly urban life in the city,’ he says. 

A new bedroom was added to the structure using recycled bricks from the verandah. The original roof geometry and timber lining boards were repeated in the addition, and the brick floor was embellished and retained. 

The remaining spaces in the cottage were given a facelift with skylights, paint, and a new window seat. ‘A small but significant insertion into the original cottage, it has opened a wonderful new aspect and connection with the hills beyond, whilst brightening the interior,’ says Justin of the window seat. 

Meanwhile, the original garage was converted into a guest studio inclusive of a kitchenette, bathroom, and living room with a contemporary wood heater. White internal timber lining boards are coupled with the original trusses, which were painted, providing an industrial volume and character consistent with the building’s former use as a garage. 

The final building on the property is the newly-built ‘shed’ with a distinct design identity. Charcoal steel cladding (specifically chosen to offset the vibrant green colour) gives way to exposed oriented strand board (OSB) lining the floors and ceiling within, paired with concrete floors. 

In collaboration with Florian Wild and Formed Landscapes, Justin regenerated the garden with new pergola elements linking the studio and cottage, and designated outdoor areas for both structures. The property also features a new fire pit area, and an outdoor bathroom set among the olive trees. 

The overall renovation of Walden Flinders has not only expanded its accommodation, but revived its landscape, and better framed the property’s natural surrounds. ‘My favourite parts of the project are all the little vignettes one sees as you move around and through the property,’ says Justin. ‘Moments are framed in connection with the outside and we’re constantly reminded of the many different aspects within the property.’

Walden Flinders is available to stay in as short-term holiday accommodation

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