Today, we’re diving into a truly heartwarming project that combines family, creativity, and the breathtaking beauty of nature. Nestled among the trees on the Surf Coast of Victoria, The Treehouse by Keep Studio is more than just a building—it’s a testament to the bond between father and son. This modern Australian home showcases the unique design philosophies of its creators. Designer director William Davey teamed up with his retired builder father to create this enchanting retreat. It’s as cozy as it is inspiring. As detailed in the article published by The Design Files, this home was created with two guiding principles. These were meeting the family’s present and future needs, and sticking to a fixed construction budget of $450,000.
Photography: Alexander William
A Vision Rooted in Family and Function
When William set out to design his family’s home, two guiding principles led the process — creating a space that met both present and future family needs, and adhering to a strict budget. Together, he and Tim not only managed the build but physically constructed almost every element of this modern Australian home themselves.
“This limitation became a framework for innovation,” William explains.
The father-son duo poured concrete, fabricated steel, crafted cabinetry, and even made the doors — all while ensuring the design expressed structural honesty and a deep connection to nature.
Modernist Inspiration Meets Coastal Living
Drawing inspiration from the works of Robin Boyd, Craig Ellwood, and Richard Neutra, this modern Australian home’s design celebrates simplicity, geometry, and integration with the surrounding landscape. The structure is elevated on bored piers. This allows it to gently hover above the steep Lorne terrain. Consequently, it preserves the ground below and creates the sensation of living among the trees.
Entry begins at the upper level, where visitors descend a spiral concrete staircase into the main living area — a striking moment that reveals the true magic of this treetop home.
Designed for Today and Tomorrow
The current two-level floor plan perfectly suits William, his partner Ruby, and their family. Yet, the modern Australian home has been carefully designed to allow for a third storey to be added in the future.
“We didn’t want a house that had more than we needed,” William says. “Instead, we built a house with everything we currently need, and then in the future we can add to it if needed.”
This flexible approach ensures the home evolves with the family, embodying Keep Studio’s design ethos — timeless, practical, and deeply personal.
Material Honesty and Warm Minimalism
The home’s rectilinear form, timber detailing, and expansive openings echo the architectural clarity of mid-century modernism. Six timber-framed porthole windows — a playful nod to architect Richard Leplastrier — bring in dynamic light and a subtle nautical charm.
Inside, the palette embraces soft warm greys, muted greens, and earthy reds, complemented by locally sourced recycled timbers. Affordable materials like IKEA stainless-steel drawers coexist with custom cabinetry inspired by Gaudí, blending practicality with artistry.
A Treehouse That Feels Like a Shed
William affectionately describes the home as “functioning like a shed” — raw, open, and deeply attuned to the outdoors. This modern Australian home encourages natural ventilation, organic textures, and a fluid connection to the environment.
“At its most beautiful, the large top-hung blackbutt doors to the living room are wide open, the fire is lit, and the sound of rain drifts gently into the lounge,” William shares.
It’s a house that feels alive — where every creak, shadow, and breeze enhances the living experience.
An Architecture of Family and Future
The Treehouse by Keep Studio is more than a coastal home — it’s a living testament to creativity, resourcefulness, and the unbreakable bond of family. Built by hand, with heart, it embodies what modern Australian architecture can be: honest, sustainable, and profoundly human.
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