This The Local Project video is sponsored by Blueland.
We look at architecture as having a narrative and something with a
hundred years of history is going to have a rich tapestry of narrative and we look
at what we are going to embark on is just the next chapter of many chapters to come.
The first thing we noticed was the very well-kept, intact, weatherboard freestanding cottage, so
we were really looking forward to seeing what we could do to complement this hundred-year-old house
in a way that would see Pippi and Ian through the 21st century and in retirement.
So this project is situated in Malvern East. The area is home to a large
stock of heritage dwellings, in particular, detached weatherboard Victorian cottages.
Ellie and I both have a great passion for that heritage housing stock in Melbourne
and think that too often it's neglected or not treated with enough respect. We get great joy
in creating these modern spaces to the rear of these heritage homes, not only respecting what
was there originally but something that meets the needs of modern day living and our clients lives.
Our clients approached us they were downsizing from the big family home in the area.
They came across this site and loved the heritage nature of the front of the block, however even
though the house was recently renovated, the footprint was inadequate for the client's needs.
We had the pleasure of retaining as much of the cottage as possible
and creating this modest but larger footprint for the living, kitchen, dining at the rear.
We approach our architecture as a backdrop to our clients lives and livelihood, where
the architecture isn't fighting for attention but it more supports them to express their style.
One of the comments the clients came to us with when they first purchased the house was
a open inspection they went to and the surprise of a green space behind the kitchen bench, so
from this day forwards we knew that green pockets were going to be a huge part of this design.
That greenery injection into the house, that was a big hook for us that we really sort of played with
for the rest of the design.
We suggested actually using a green marble. We like that it hit some typical heritage tones
of the area so we thought that the poetry was there to really connect two green spaces and
bring that into the house through the use of that green marble. We knew that that interface
between inside and outside was really important ans we wanted to deliver an abundance of light,
air, greenery to the inside rooms. Again, that sort of helps bolster,
in our opinion, a modest footprint to feel much bigger than it is.
By visually drawing that landscaping into the house, it lets your eye
carry beyond the footprint of the home into the landscape. It makes it feel quite spacious
and it also allows the footprint to capture as much of that natural light as possible.
Light's one of the first things we'll consider when we put pen to paper;
it's always where's north, how can we get light into living spaces.
So here, with a 40 metre northern exposure to the new areas, we really wanted to implement some
thermal mass both through the double brick walls but also through the concrete slab. Facing north
that can they can absorb the heat all through the day and then radiate that back into the house
overnight. Glazing features quite prominently in this house and it's carefully selected its
orientation and placement but also its operation, so we've got great crossfire
ventilation with all the internal courtyards and pockets delivering that fresh air into the house.
We realised that we have managed to create seven different outdoor areas
by creating these more defined spaces. The occupants of the space still feel as though
they can interact with each other without feeling like they're living on top of each other.
I think one of the surprises was probably Pippi and Ian's sense for adventure in this process.
I think it was really great to sort of see their personality come out in some of those selections.
They trusted us from day one to see their vision
and to explore the interesting aspects of what they were trying to achieve with their brief;
not only materiality but ensuring the longevity of this home for years to come.
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