This residential project was designed by Mitsuori Architects to extend and transform a conservative heritage home in inner suburban Melbourne into a dynamic space for a young family.
Their design challenge was to create an exciting yet functional family home that reflected their client’s preference for a sleek design aesthetic and love of the colour black.
Can a family home be sleek and minimal?
Absolutely.
This project demonstrated that designing an architectural home for a family is about solving many, often opposing design challenges, by making a series of simple, yet well considered moves.
Mitsuori Architects’ clients desired a light filled family living zone that would become the heart of their home.
They valued strong connections between the spaces, views to the garden and city, and well considered storage that would allow things to be packed away and spaces easily maintained.
Mitsuori Architects’ design revolved around a double height void that brings light into virtually every space in the new addition.
Thoughtful planning combined with bold use of materials, textures, and glass were used to expand the views through each space and create a sense of volume and spaciousness.
This void physically and visually connects the main living, kitchen, and dining room to an open first floor landing, main bedroom, terrace, and study area.
Mitsuori Architects’ client loved the idea of incorporating black into their kitchen.
And the design team loved the idea of exploring black as a way of creating a dramatic backdrop for the presentation of feature elements and objects – a perpetual blank canvas.
The result was a singular black kitchen wall incorporating all the cabinetry, appliances, benchtops, and splashbacks.
In front of the ‘canvas’ a custom designed marble and timber island bench was designed as a communal gathering space within the kitchen.
To the side, a wall of timber conceals an appliance bay, fridges, pantry storage, and access through to a utility room with an external service entrance.
Result?
Beautiful, functional, and in every way a family home.
Project Details
Project Size – 261 m2
Site Area – 500 m2
Completion Date – 2018
Building Levels – 2
Project Team
Architecture
Mitsuori Architects
Melbourne-based and founded in 2008 by Matthew Murfett and Melissa Lim, Mitsuori Architects bring together large-scale project experience and technical expertise with the personalised service and attention to detail of a small boutique design practice.
Photography
Michael Kai
Michael Kai is a Melbourne-based photographer. Born in a town close to Berlin, Germany, Michael spent two years as a documentary photographer in post-war Kosovo before pursuing further studies in Germany and Australia.
Photo Gallery
Click on a thumbnail image to enlarge.
Design © 2021 Mitsuori Architects. All Rights Reserved.| Images © 2021 Michael Kai. All Rights Reserved.
Get the Builtworks Letter
In every edition of the Builtworks Letter, you’ll get the behind-the-scenes backstory as to how buildings are designed, built, and brought to life. You’ll hear compelling stories, learn surprising ideas, meet engaging characters, and discover unique voices.