The Fisher House

Originally designed and built by Alistair Knox in 1969 and recently updated by architect Adriana Hanna, The Fisher House stands as a quietly powerful example of Australian modernism. Grounded in a deep connection to landscape, materiality, and time, the home unfolds with a sense of restraint and permanence—where raw textures, considered interventions, and an enduring dialogue between old and new shape its evolving story.

Today, the home reflects the layered vision of its original maker alongside its current custodians, photographer Sean Fennessy and art director Jess Lillico. Working closely with Adriana Hanna, the pair approached the renovation with restraint, guided by a shared respect for the home’s architectural legacy. Rather than reinterpreting it for a new era, the intention was to preserve and refine, allowing the original character to remain at the forefront while enhancing the way the home is lived in.

Set within Warrandyte’s natural surrounds, the house retains Knox’s signature material palette of red brick floors, expressed brick walls, cedar, blackbutt, and terracotta. Subtle interventions, including rendered internal walls and considered spatial adjustments, bring a sense of lightness and continuity, while maintaining the integrity of the original structure. Large windows frame the landscape, reinforcing the seamless relationship between indoors and out.

Within the main bedroom, the McMullin Beatrix Bed Head finds its place with quiet confidence. Its soft, sculptural form introduces a sense of warmth and balance against the home’s textural surfaces, complementing the material richness while offering a refined point of rest. Considered not as an addition, but as part of the home’s evolving narrative, it sits in harmony with the surrounding architecture.

The result is a home that feels both enduring and deeply personal, where past and present coexist with clarity and intention. The Fisher House remains a testament to thoughtful design, where each element, original or introduced, contributes to a cohesive and lasting architectural story.