The streets are lined with gum trees, dogs bark in generous backyards and the op shops still sell clothes for a dollar. This could be any Australian suburb, but there's something unusual going on in Boronia, about 30 kilometres east of Melbourne's CBD.

Neighbours peer curiously over their fences at a house that is painted completely black. As far as urban development goes, they haven't seen anything quite like this.

Artists Brienna Macnish, Robert D Jordan and Clare McCracken painted a Boronia house black as part of their project Section 32. Credit:Meredith O'Shea

Taking inspiration from the black monoliths of 2001: A Space Odyssey, the house on Boronia Road is intended to be from the future, shedding light on what our suburbs may look like in decades to come.

"This is my black, suburban monolith," says Clare McCracken. She and a team of other artists have transformed the house inside and out for the annual Immerse public art festival, supported by Knox City Council.