Young House

Architect: Esmond Dorney (1958), Circa Morris-Nunn Chua and Associates (1999 and 2008)

The Derwent, Framed

What do you get when an architect designs a house around the view, the landscape and a little bit of the future?

Step inside Young House, one of Esmond Dorney’s most recognisable Hobart houses, and discover the remarkable home once nicknamed the “Sputnik House” after the world’s first satellite, and now better known as the “Butterfly House.”

Designed in 1958 for a single woman, the compact two-bedroom home was an adventurous piece of architecture for its time. Its powerful curved form follows the contours of the site, while walls of glass open the living spaces towards the Derwent, the mountains and the sky.

Look closely and you’ll discover how Dorney achieved this remarkable openness without sacrificing privacy. The expansive glazing is lightly framed in tubular steel, with diagonal bracing becoming part of the architecture. A wide deck extends over the carport and workshop below, creating both an outdoor living space and a carefully considered screen from the street.

The house has continued to evolve with its owners. In 1999, Circa Morris-Nunn Chua and Associates designed a new pavilion in the backyard, adding space while keeping Dorney’s original house intact. The project was awarded the RAIA Tasmanian Chapter Heritage Award in 2001. A further addition in 2008 introduced another bedroom and a lap pool, allowing the house to adapt to contemporary life without losing its distinctive character.

Carefully restored and furnished with a mid-century sensibility, Young House remains a striking example of Dorney’s ability to create homes that are both highly individual and deeply responsive to the people who live in them.

Come and have a look, explore the details, follow the curves and discover how Esmond Dorney turned a small house into an extraordinary frame for the Derwent.

Open: Sun 8 Nov, 10.30am – 12.30pm (bookings required)