The year was 1966. Nancy Sinatra supplied the Broccoli brothers with our favourite Bond theme of all time – the Anlgo-Japanese swoon of ‘You Only Live Twice’. And on a pitched corner block in sleepy Glen Waverley architect Bruce Morgan (here eulogised by Neil Clerehan) designed this astounding home for client, Van Aken. Morgan is recognised for his clean, functional style and interest in pre-fab but we suspect perhaps the client, as the afore mentioned James Bond, had a thing for umami, tatami and shoes off at the front door such is the distinct Japanese stylings of this residence. The timber baton ceiling, simple squared spaces, and of course use of sliding screens all details which have thankfully not been destroyed by any subsequent owner and remain an elegant and rather unique testament to the desires of the client and accomplished hand of the architect.
