Phil Selvicka has quite a few creative friends who’ve each left their mark on his property at Natalie Rd, Buccan.
When he bought it four years ago, the garden was run-down, and the house needed work.
What transpired from then until now has created one of the most unusual houses currently on the market.
Out the back of the two hectares sits a teepee. Not one you buy your six-year-old to park in the corner of the playroom, rather a full-size teepee with its own firepit outside for groups to sit around.
Mr Selvicka plays many instruments, and the teepee is currently a space used for drums, meditation, and to explore the benefits of breathing from sound and frequency.
The rock-like exterior of the house was created by an artist, each “rock” individually crafted, creating what the agents are calling a modern-day castle, but what some might see as an art-driven cave.
Not every house comes with its own 3m tall serpent which helps break one area of the garden from the next.
It was created by an artist who Mr Selvicka says – although not seen – has created the spine of the snake inside the piece of outdoor art.
Three corner pillars of the house represent ancient Peru, Mexico and Egypt.
Inside, each room has its own design. Different-coloured tiles in each of the rooms, some of the walls painted in art, and floors on the bottom level retaining the slate that came with the house.
“The inspiration came from my travels,” Mr Selvicka said.
“I have studied with spiritual leaders and spiritual people during my visits to many countries.
Many people have helped create the incredible energy of this house – backpackers, family and friends have come here to help, particularly during the past 12 months of Covid.”
There’s a studio at one end of the house and a separate space which could be used as a granny flat, but currently contributes to the retreat feel of the house – a meditation studio on one side and a floatation therapy tank in the other.
Mr Selvicka says the pool was there when he arrived, as were some of the fruit trees which have been turned into a plentiful organic garden with fruit, vegetables and herbs.
Now, he and his partner are expecting their first baby in September and it’s time to move on.
He plans to build a retreat – “a co-creation of different modalities” – in the highlands of Peru where he has spent time on and off over the years, exploring the regions temples, learning their religion and meeting many people.
“Everyone who has come here has pitched in to help create the energy here,” he says.
That included his father, an ex-tiler who moved with the family as refugees from the Czech Republic in 1989. He contributed to the construction before succumbing to cancer.
“It’s been a labour of love,” Mr Selvicka says.
He agrees that he’ll miss what he and friends have created. But he says it’s time to explore his passion in Peru.
Brad Johnston is the agent on 0414 313 787.
