When Mitsuori Architects’ clients bought this freestanding Edwardian home in inner-city Northcote, Melbourne the project began with them asking us an important question – are the minor changes we want to make sufficient for this to be an architectural project?
The house already had a relatively new extension that would not be demolished or significantly extended, yet it required a complete transformation to meet the client’s brief and aspirations.
Mitsuori Architects went in search of small moves able to redefine the living spaces of this home.
These small moves had a big impact.
The project began with testing.
A series of options, each with varying degrees of modification to the existing building, was explored collaboratively with Mitsuori Architects‘ client.
During this process, the floor plan was ‘unlocked’ by the transformation of a small shadowed courtyard in the middle of the house into a vibrant sky lit family dining room.
This single move completely changed the feel of the surrounding spaces and how they worked together.
The new glazed dining room gave us space to incorporate a generous cooks kitchen and lounge nook into the existing floor plate.
A new wall of timber joinery conceals the existing structure and simultaneously addresses both the dining and the lounge room.
Hidden glazing incorporated into the joinery unit and a concealed sliding door allow the rooms to be acoustically separated but remain visually connected.
Just a few small moves transformed the existing compartmentalized rooms into a series of joyful, light-filled living spaces fit for a growing family.
Project Details
Project Size – 186 m2
Site Area – 575 m2
Completion Date – 2019
Building Levels – 1
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 personalized service and attention to detail of a small boutique design practice.
Landscape Architecture
Andrew Plant Landscapes
Andrew Plant Landscapes is a landscape architecture firm specializing in boutique garden design.
Construction
Howroyd Homes
Melbourne-based Howroyd Homes build unique and exclusive homes, extensions, and renovations.
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
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Design © 2021 Mitsuori Architects. All Rights Reserved.| Images © 2021 Michael Kai. All Rights Reserved.
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