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At home with Anna and Dan from 57 Martin Street
In an age where urban living can feel isolating despite proximity, two academics have found solace in their new home at 57 Martin Street, Thornbury, where the blend of family life and community connection comes alive. As Anna and Dan recount their journey, one thing becomes abundantly clear: the fabric of modern living spins not only through the walls of a home but through the shared experiences and mutual support of neighbours who become like family.
The first thing you notice when entering Anna and Dan’s townhouse is the streaming of natural light; the second is colour. Applied in considered modulation, colour washes the home in a kaleidoscope of joy. A glass coffee table in a technicolour film accentuates the touch points all around that reflect each colour of the rainbow. A striped red and pink frilled tablecloth converses with a peach gingham plant pot across the room. Green bursts pepper the length and breadth of the home's ground floor, complimented by garden outlooks on either end. Upstairs, more striped frills abound in bed linen. At the same time, wallpaper and murals introduce a characterful charm and playfulness tempered by oak, exposed brick, terracotta and concrete, and carefully considered applications so that this home remains softly vibrant without falling off the edge into juvenility. It is a home that perfectly carries the expressions of the young family of four living here.
Transitioning from small apartment living in Carlton as their family grew to a more spacious townhouse in Thornbury has offered Anna and Dan a newfound sense of stability. “We were considering having a second baby, and our previous apartment was quite small. We needed to upgrade. We started looking around where we were in Carlton, and it was just crazy expensive, and there were no three-bedroom options,” remarks Dan, cementing the reality of the housing market.
“I remember it was a Saturday when Dan mentioned an interesting opportunity in Thornbury,” recalls Anna. “We hadn’t even been looking there—we were focused on Carlton and Brunswick. Something popped up online just after the Neometro development had been listed. We quickly emailed asking for floor plans, and I remember meeting their sales rep on the street in Fitzroy to discuss the details. Given that it was still during COVID, we met in a back alley to get the plans, which felt insane.”
The stamp duty savings from purchasing off-the-plan and the thoughtfulness of the 3-bedroom townhouse’s floor plan sealed the deal for Anna and Dan. It ticked all the boxes—all the bedrooms on the same floor for young kids, cross ventilation from dual garden outlooks on the lower level, the open-plan concept of the living and kitchen space, the terrace and the design language—“we just knew we had to jump on it,” they admit.
The couple, both acutely aware of the pressures of modernity, speak openly about their intertwining roles as parents and professionals. “I do both research and teach... it’s all about decision-making and policy,” says Anna while illuminating her academic background and how it intersects with real-world application. With a background in international politics, Dan focuses on how cities engage internationally, learn from one another, how ideas get adopted from one city to another, and how cities jointly advocate for specific policies. Listening to them talk so passionately about their work, you can’t help but draw a parallel with an equally strong commitment to creating a nurturing environment for their children, which includes catalysing connections with their neighbours.
Community is woven into the very essence of their lives. “We actually started a WhatsApp group... getting to know people before we even moved in,” they recount with genuine warmth. Being part of a tight-knit group of neighbours has cultivated friendships that span beyond social pleasantries. Anna elaborates, “It's great to know what everyone does... we catch up quarterly, taking turns to host at each other’s homes. It creates a real bond.”
This camaraderie extends to their children's upbringing, allowing for playful interactions that foster a sense of belonging. "They love to go out into the communal garden and water the plants,” shares Anna. The ability to engage in simple, shared rituals—the weekly trek to the local market or spontaneous gatherings—has also enriched their lives immeasurably. “Every Saturday morning is our ritual. We get the trolley and walk to the end of the street. You can't beat that fresh produce experience.”
Yet, living in this vibrant new community has also drawn attention to the increasingly pressing issue of sustainability. With a clear commitment to eco-friendly living, Dan notes, “We’ve barely used the heating and cooling. The passive architectural design keeps the temperature constant, and the fireplace will heat the entire house.” This reliance on natural elements also extends to their gardening efforts; a shared passion for the environment shines through in their approach to making their home sustainable and energy-efficient.
Living in the boutique development at 57 Martin Street places Anna and Dan firmly in the narrative of urban dwellers striving for balance—between work, family life, social life and sustainability. “It depends on who you are, but for us, what we have here is idyllic,” says Anna, illustrating that different people seek distinct experiences. For them, it’s about anchoring their life amidst the chaos of city living while also encouraging their children to thrive within it. “Having a space where everyone’s in kind of this shared area... it’s so much more social,” Dan reflects, acknowledging how their open-plan design facilitates connectivity within the home.
When speaking of their aspirations for the future, Anna and Dan remain open to possibilities. “We’ve never subscribed to the idea of a forever home,” Anna articulates, emphasising the fluidity with which they approach life. There is undoubtedly longevity here,” she continues, relieved by the ease of living and the security of their new home. Given the current housing crisis, both she and Dan acknowledge purchasing when they did, where they did and how they did (off-the-plan) means their Thornbury townhouse has already yielded security if they need to move.
In a world where neighbourhood bonds often seem to fray, this family in Thornbury stands as a testament to the power of community, resilience, and commitment to both family and the planet. Their story serves as a reminder that the essence of home extends far beyond four walls; it is ultimately about the people we share it with, the connections we nurture, and the communities we build—one shared experience at a time.
A big thank you to Anna and Dan. Find out more about 57 Martin Street, Thornbury by Neometro here. Words by Tiffany Jade. Photography by Derek Swalwell.
