For architect Zac Bunston, a single visit to Peter McIntyre's River House village in 2019 would prove to be a life-changing experience. As a university student who had just been introduced to McIntyre's pioneering architectural work, Bunston was exploring potential job opportunities when he first encountered this remarkable property. "I still clearly remember my first visit to the property – I couldn't believe a place like this existed," Bunston recalls. "It felt like you were two hours from the city, when in fact, you were only 10 minutes."
Soon after beginning work with Peter McIntyre, Bunston moved to live on the extraordinary Kew site, which spans six acres and features both river frontage and stunning city views. The estate's origins make its current status even more remarkable, considering the challenges it once presented. In the late 1940s, McIntyre purchased the land as a student for just $300, despite widespread belief that the terrain was too steep and flood-prone for construction.
McIntyre quickly proved the skeptics wrong by designing the innovative River House, also known as the Butterfly House or McIntyre House. This groundbreaking structure cantilevers above the flood line and is now recognized as one of Australia's most architecturally significant homes. The same structural approach that McIntyre pioneered for this residence was later utilized in his design of the 1956 Melbourne Olympics Swimming Stadium, demonstrating the broader impact of his architectural innovations.
Over the years, multiple buildings designed by McIntyre and his firm, McIntyre Partnership Architects, have been added to the Kew site. Each house offers a unique atmosphere based on its specific location within the property and the era in which it was constructed. The expansive property also includes its own network of roads, walking tracks, steps, and carefully maintained lawns, creating a self-contained village environment.
Bunston has experienced life in most of the homes throughout the village before settling into the Tea House in 2023. He shares this distinctive residence with his partner Isobel Winneke, a landscape architecture graduate from Taylor Cullity Lethlean, and their friend Charlie Howcroft, co-founder of Good One Creative. Built in 2005, the Tea House is strategically positioned high among the treetops, offering residents a unique connection to both the activity of cyclists on the nearby bike path and rowers navigating the river below.
The Tea House exemplifies the characteristic features and material choices that define McIntyre Partnership Architects' work. The building showcases a distinctive ski lodge aesthetic similar to the Dinner Plain alpine village that McIntyre designed in the 1980s. The residence remains in near-original condition and is enhanced by an impressive gallery of prominent artworks created by Angus White, a former resident of the home, and Louis Howcroft.
The winter months transform the Tea House into a cozy retreat centered around its open fireplace. "In winter, the open fire rarely goes out, the smell of burning red gum fills this space, and much like a ski lodge, it becomes the heart of the house, bringing everyone together," Bunston explains. This central gathering space creates a sense of community that reflects the broader village atmosphere of the entire property.
Now serving as director of his own architecture practice, Bunston, Bunston continues to live and work on the Kew site while remaining deeply inspired by McIntyre's enduring architectural legacy. His daily experience on the property has profoundly shaped his approach to architecture and design. "The spaces that we live and work in, shape who we are, what we do and the work we create," Bunston observes. "Living and working on this property has been the best introduction into the world of architecture that I could have wished for."
Beyond the professional benefits, Bunston appreciates the exceptional lifestyle that the River House village provides. "And of course, the lifestyle is hard to beat," he notes. "No commute – just a short walk down the hill. I can pop home for lunch, and our Friday knock-offs are spent on the balcony." This unique living arrangement exemplifies how thoughtful architecture can seamlessly blend professional pursuits with personal well-being, creating an environment where creativity and daily life enhance each other.
