At home in Canberra: Always changing views offer endless pleasure

Canberra’s landmarks are proudly on display through the windows of this Duffy home. From Black Mountain Tower to Parliament House, the National Arboretum to the Australian War Memorial, it’s an outlook unique to the capital.

Owners Graeme Traves and Tero Blinnikka love the ever-changing vista from the property’s elevated position.

“It’s a view that’s populated with things,” Traves says.

“The main view that everyone stands up and looks at is the north-eastern view where we can see Black Mountain, the city and the hills in the distance – the whole panorama.”

Philip Leeson Architects designed Stromlo House to capture 270-degree views. It hugs the contours of its hillside location with terraces and decks extending from the home.

Windows wrapping around the north-east corners of the home not only highlight the magnificent view, they contribute to the solar passive design. Leeson says the same design applied to the north-west of the house would open it up harsh afternoon sun.

The view, Traves says, always brings something new. Autumn mornings see the sky fill with hot air balloons, while the evenings bring illuminated hillsides.

“It’s always changing,” he says. “We’ve also got the open sky and that’s quite a special view that you don’t get in the big cities.”