Less house, more life | John Ellway

John Ellway is one of Australia’s leading residential architects. Since establishing his practice in 2017, he has received multiple state and national awards, including Australian House of the Year for Three House at the 2021 Houses Awards. His residential designs prove that living well doesn't require a large footprint: with thoughtful planning and the strategic use of light, views and landscape, smaller homes can be rich in both spatial experience and functionality.   In this episode, Alexa Kempton, editor of Houses Magazine, talks with John about creating homes that are compact, practical and a delight to live in.     Further Reading Breezy lyricism: Three House https://architectureau.com/articles/three-house/ Winner: Australian House of the Year https://housesawards.com.au/gallery/2021/australian-house-of-the-year/2P6WIMX7QYX Full bloom: Terrarium House https://architectureau.com/articles/terrarium-house/ Niwa House by John Ellway https://architectureau.com/articles/niwa-house-john-ellway/ Hopscotch House by John Ellway Architect https://architectureau.com/articles/hopscotch-john-ellway/ ‘A place to picnic’: Cascade House https://architectureau.com/articles/cascade-house-john-ellway/ A neighbourly disposition: Twin Houses https://architectureau.com/articles/twin-houses/ How a speculative development won Brisbane’s house of the year https://architectureau.com/articles/twin-houses-john-ellway/ 2025 Eleanor Cullis-Hill Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions) https://architectureau.com/articles/2025-Eleanor-Cullis-Hill-Award-for-Residential-Architecture-Houses-Alterations-and-Additions/ 2019 Eleanor Cullis-Hill Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions) https://architectureau.com/articles/2019-national-architecture-awards-eleanor-cullis-hill-award-for-res-alts-adds/