Bush Modern: Hand-crafted homes on the edge of the city

In the bushy north-eastern fringe of Melbourne, an enduring, uniquely Australian architectural aesthetic has been quietly gaining recognition. Emerging out of necessity in the post-war years, it reimagined the sleek ideals of modernism through the lens of the local landscape. Simple homes built ‘of the land’ from mud bricks and recycled timber captured the mood of those searching for an alternative way of life close to nature. The movement gathered momentum in the counter-cultural 1960s and culminated in near-mainstream popularity in the 1970s. After a few decades where brown lost appeal in favour of white-washed minimalism, the style in all its warm, earthy glory is once again being embraced and revived by a new generation

Through evocative photography by Sean Fennessy, personal stories and architectural insights, Bush Modern explores the timeless appeal of these character-filled homes: tactile, grounded and deeply in tune with their environment.

About the author

Jessica Lillico and Sean Fennessy are the co-creators of Bush Modern. Jessica is a creative director, interior stylist and first-time author. Sean is a photographer known for his warm, minimal style and unique sense of observation. The couple lives in Warrandyte, on the outskirts of Melbourne, in a 1960s house designed by Alistair Knox, which they renovated in 2020.

Sean Fennessy, Jessica Lillico
Published November 2025
Hardback
   pages 
235mm x 290mm
ISBN 9781760764807