# Urban Layered Homes The Salmon House Layers Warmth and Sculptural Form to Melbourne’s Suburbs By Amy Duong | Published 2025-07-22 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/salmon-house References: [truestory.au](https://www.truestory.au/projects/salmon-house)  The Salmon House in Melbourne’s Essendon by True Story architects commands a corner lot with stacked materials—robust cast-in-place concrete forms softened by fine-grained timber cladding and reeded glass. Its tiered design gracefully adapts to a sloping site, with cascading levels that connect shared family spaces to a rooftop terrace overlooking the city. Strategic cutaways and floor-to-ceiling windows foster a seamless flow between interiors and the outdoors, framing lush greenery, a dreamy pool, and private glass-topped showers. Inside, the palette combines sculpted concrete benches and island accents with warm timber finishes, creating a tactile balance of materiality. The home navigates between communal living—sunken lounge, dining—and reflective zones like a moody library and rooftop retreat. Here, architecture harmonises with site and lifestyle, layering texture, light, and spatial rhythm for a quietly refined family sanctuary. Image Credit: True Story ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.3/10 - Popularity: 54% | Activity: 29% | Freshness: 45% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Sustainable Architectural Design:** Layered homes, like The Salmon House, promote resource-efficient constructions using durable materials and strategic designs that harmonize with natural elements. - **Integrated Indoor-outdoor Living:** The incorporation of extensive windows and cutaways in urban homes enhances the connection with outdoor environments, enriching homeowner experiences with nature. - **Multifunctional Spaces:** The Salmon House emphasizes flexible communal and private living areas, encouraging innovative interior layouts that adapt to varied family lifestyles. ### Who This Affects Most - **Residential Architecture:** Architectural firms can explore opportunities in designing layered urban homes that adapt to unique landscapes and localize aesthetic elements. - **Construction Materials:** The demand for diverse, high-performance materials is rising as homes like The Salmon House integrate concrete, timber, and glass in innovative ways. - **Smart Home Technology:** Emerging technologies can play a vital role in optimizing the environmental and functional adaptability of smart, layered residential spaces. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Brutalist Suburban Family Houses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/south-yarra-house.md) - [Weatherized Minimal Modern Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coastal-house.md) - [Terraced Concrete Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/summer-home.md) - [Living Landscape Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hedge-and-arbour-house.md) - [Garden-Connected Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-waverley-house.md) - [Sleek Garden-Edge Renovations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/waverley-house.md) - [Anticipatory Architectural Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vulcan-house.md) - [Nature-Rooted Family Retreats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/haus-am-lagnesberg.md) - [Dynamic Layered Terraces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/luise-terrace.md)