Image Credit : Shannon McGrath
Project Overview
A choreographed journey of history spans old and new is this re-cycled Melbourne home.
The end result follows a story of 2’pavilions’ -at the front the extensive restoration of the original grander section of the Victorian building and at the rear a new contemporary double storey addition. Both are seemingly separate yet connected via a metaphorical bridge that traverses the courtyard area -acting as a powerful interstitial (&seemingly internal) space mediating the two buildings and history.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Matt Gibson Architecture + Design
Team
Matt Gibson, Principal Architect
Marcel Heyn, Architect
Weian Lim, Architect
Huw Wellard, Architect
Erica Tsuda, Architect
Michael Newberg, Architect
Interior Designer-Caroline Lieu
Builder-Camson Homes
Structural Consultant-Adams Consulting Engineers
Mechanical Consultants-Griepink
Heritage Consultant-RBA Architects
Photographer-Shannon McGrath
Project Brief
The brief for the renovation of this boom style double fronted Victorian home originally called for full demolition (surprisingly - not being within a heritage overlay). However, upon witnessing the possibilities of the existing dwelling the client was encouraged to retain the front section with the potential it could provoke a richer response when co-aligned with a newer intervention.
Material, colour & detail variation are utilised in combination with a ‘courtyard strategy’ to exaggerate the settings & the temporal division of the ‘pavilions’. Architecturally the front building is restored in a clean yet typically Victorian detailing. The grandeur of the existing building is immediately obvious upon entering – lofty heights, boom style mouldings & fittings, historic fireplaces, chandeliers. Tonal paint finishes are utilised along with dark stained oak floorboards in a more formal use of material and colour.
The journey from the front door through the main axis to the rear of the site sets up a series of delayed thresholds and framed scenes. Beyond the existing building one enters through the sculptural timber form of the new building. Within the main hallway still, the space compresses again before exhaling completely to reveal the openness and expanse of the rear Living areas. Long runs of concealable glazing to either side dissolve the ground level facade and allow flexibility to open up to the outdoors, providing full viewing of external garden/pool areas.
Project Need
Just off a main street in Armadale this house was intended as an urban escape. Above all it wanted to be comfortable, inviting, light, airy and maintenance friendly whilst also providing a sense of theatre with specifically designed moments of surprise and delight. At the rear a restrained yet relaxed mix of material, colour & detail is utilised to provide a point of difference from the ‘formality’ of the front. Natural materials and finishes are utilised against dark & light hues - Natural timber, – Silvertop Ash cladding, a burnished ochre concrete floor, basalt tiling, limed oak joinery, linen curtains, alabama white marble, dark metals & natural white paint finishes - make up the more relaxed, contemporary and comfort driven approach.
The philosophy regarding decoration aligned with that of the built interior – versatility to be intimate or expansive, cocooning or theatrical, an entertainment space or a retreat. The decoration contains
The philosophy regarding decoration was to create a home that could be versatile -either intimate or expansive, cocooning or theatrical, an entertainment space or a retreat. The decoration symbiotically tells a story of history and through its differentiation from front to rear provides legibility and delighting in the differences. A tapestry of items collected from the past as well as modern pieces which perfectly complement the historic narration of the dwelling and the taste of its owners.
Design Challenge
The tone of Kooyong House is set at the front door of this grand Melbourne home, with a brief to reveal a story of time. One which sensitively echoes it's past, and another that speaks with certitude about it's future. A story of contrast and harmony.
The discipline behind the design of Kooyong House was one of careful consideration and purpose. Sensitivity in the selection of materials, finishes and furnishings, and purpose in the recognition of how this residence will be lived in.
Interior decoration transitions seamlessly within both the old and new spaces. The home allows the best of both worlds – with privacy in the more personal parts of the home, suggested by pieces collected from years of travel. Modern and durable pieces complement the Australian landscape in the central courtyard, while eclectic pieces harmonise the living room and through to the outdoor dining space, pool and deck.
This is a family home – the decor is a tapestry of things collected from the past and modern pieces which perfectly complements the story and taste of its owners.
Sustainability
ESD principles include:
• Retention and re-use and recycling of existing structure where the client originally wanted to demolish it.
• Orientation and configuration – northerly aspect, protection via eaves, courtyard –access to external air, ease of ventilation.
• Low embodied energy. Low VOC paints , Lighting – LED .
• Thermal zoning off the prism – doors that can open or close down the separate structures (old and new) to act like a completely separate dwelling or can utilise the prism as a thermal regulator – a heat sink in winter or it may be thermally purge in the height of summer.
• Use of material – silvertop ash radial sawn & locally grown from form re-growth forests.
• Use of re-salvaged materials – the timber fins and wharf decking are recycled black butt form eco timbers.
• Use of thermal mass in form of an exposed slab with hydronic coil in slab heating.
• There is a solar blanket on the roof.’solar strip collectors’, 40sq.m. – less pump usage/smaller pump,
• Water is harvested and collected in tanks next to the pool that sit largely above ground beneath the upper deck of the pool.
• A mix of double glazing and low E tinted single glazing is used.
As opposed to other dwellings within this context where important references of Australian /Victorian heritage may be obliterated without intervention this interior utilises and exploits the juxtaposition to heighten and delight in the difference whilst following sustainable methods that encourage retention and re-use over demolition.
Interior Design - Residential
This award recognises building interiors, with consideration given to space creation and planning, furnishings, finishes and aesthetic presentation. Consideration given to space allocation, traffic flow, building services, lighting, fixtures, flooring, colours, furnishings and surface finishes.
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