Set in the leafy suburbs of Melbourne, Mahogany House is more than a residence—it’s a thoughtful exercise in family-oriented architecture. Designed by the co-founders of R ARCHITECTURE, Vish and Gaurav Rajadhyax, the project brings together practical spatial planning, environmental sensitivity, and a strong connection to landscape. It explores how a single home can accommodate multiple generations while remaining compact, vibrant, and sustainable.
Architects Who Live What They Design
Vish and Gaurav Rajadhyax, the duo behind R ARCHITECTURE, designed Mahogany House not just for a client, but for themselves and their extended family. With this project, their philosophy of suburban design—rooted in real-life functionality and accessibility—takes on personal significance. Since 2011, their practice has focused on elevating suburban living through pragmatic, culturally attuned, and aesthetically deliberate solutions. Mahogany House exemplifies this ethos by merging lived experience with architectural clarity.
A Home Divided for Togetherness
Mahogany House is structured around two distinct pods: a two-storey western wing for the nuclear family and a single-storey eastern pod for the grandparents. These wings are separated—and at the same time unified—by a central courtyard that includes a swimming pool. This courtyard acts as the literal and conceptual heart of the home, allowing for visual and spatial connectivity while respecting the autonomy of each family unit.
The grandparents’ pod offers private living, with its own lounge, kitchenette, and bathroom, ensuring independence without isolation. Meanwhile, the shared central spaces—like the lounge and courtyard—foster interaction and communal life. This layout is an elegant response to the complexities of multi-generational living, balancing closeness with privacy.
Designed Around Trees and Light
At the core of the design is an old mahogany tree, around which the entire home is oriented. The preservation of this tree—and two others, a liquid amber and a silver birch—served as the starting point for the house’s plan. Large openings and strategic alignments ensure that natural light floods into the interior while maintaining a strong connection with the greenery outside. The earthy material palette, particularly the terracotta shingles used unconventionally on both walls and roofs, complements this organic integration.
Inside, soft curves, vibrant tones, and natural textures keep the space from feeling clinical or austere. The interior joinery in green and plywood reinforces the biophilic ethos, while leather furniture and bold color accents lend the spaces a warm, lived-in feel.
Sustainability Without the Hype
Rather than chasing green design as a branding exercise, Mahogany House grounds its sustainability in practical decisions. The floorplate is efficient, the volume right-sized for the needs of the residents. The use of Passivhaus principles ensures thermal comfort with minimal energy demand, and Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) make the building airtight and energy-efficient. This approach to sustainability feels neither tokenistic nor excessive—it’s simply part of how the house works.
In sum, Mahogany House doesn’t try to be a showpiece. It’s a lived-in, layered, and thoughtful response to the lives it contains.
Technical Sheet: Mahogany House
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Project Name | Mahogany House |
| Location | Melbourne, Australia |
| Design Firm | R ARCHITECTURE |
| Founders/Architects | Vish Rajadhyax, Gaurav Rajadhyax |
| Completion Year | 2025 |
| Building Type | Residential, Multi-generational |
| Layout | Two pods (double-storey main + single-storey grandparents’ pod) |
| Key Features | Central courtyard with pool, Entry lounge, Biophilic integration |
| Exterior Materials | Locally made terracotta shingles (roof + wall cladding) |
| Interior Materials | Plywood joinery, leather, green accents, soft curved elements |
| Site Integration | Preserves 3 mature trees (mahogany, liquid amber, silver birch) |
| Sustainability Approach | Right-sizing, Passivhaus principles, SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels) |
| Design Principles | Multi-generational privacy + connection, biophilic design, efficiency |
| Indoor Plant Integration | Extensive collection incorporated into design |
| Architectural Style | Contemporary with sustainable and biophilic focus |
| Pool Area | Located in the central courtyard |
| Function Zones | Family living, grandparent suite, shared courtyard |
