Riverside Modern: An architectural legacy in Studley Park

Riverside Modern journeys into one of Melbourne's most remarkable architectural enclaves. Framed on three sides by the winding Yarra River, the quiet streets of Studley Park in Kew contain Australia's finest concentration of modernist houses, a rare snapshot of mid-century Australian design.

In the decade following World War II, a cluster of visionary architects built a series of experimental family homes here, many working side by side as the neighbourhood took shape. Among them were figures who would come to define Melbourne modernism, including Robin Boyd, Anatol Kagan, McGlashan Everist, and Peter McIntyre and Dione McIntyre. Set within a steep, leafy riverside landscape, these architects refined ideas about light, site and modern living that would shape Australian architecture for decades.

Author Jake Taylor and photographer Jack Lovel explore key residential projects, revealing the creative energy behind this extraordinary pocket of design. Together, these houses stand as a powerful testament to the ambition, experimentation and enduring legacy of Australian modernism.

Jake Taylor is a registered architect who practices across both Melbourne and San Francisco, with a keen focus on residential projects and a deep passion for mid-century architectural research.

Jack Lovel is an architectural photographer based in Melbourne. Known for its clean graphic style and timeless quality his work sensitively captures the architect's intent, providing an honest and authentic representation of their vision.