Quirky design approach to heritage theme made this new home a standout

A quirky design approach to heritage theme made this new home a standout on the inside without jarring with its neighbours.

HOME TO INSPIRE North Fitzroy house designed by architect Steffen Welsch. Pics by Shannon McGrath. ONE TIME USE ONLY

The brief was simple and to the point, but with two very opposing descriptions that could have left architect Steffen Welsch scratching his head.

Steffen’s clients had just bought a block with a knockdown house on it in Fitzroy North in Melbourne and they wanted their new home to be both “quirky and slick”.

There were other factors the architect had to consider, as well.

Consider new ways with traditional materials like bricks and timber for a contemporary look

NEW FOR OLD

The couple would be living in an area characterised by Federation-style heritage houses, a fact Steffen couldn’t simply ignore, despite the project being a new build.

“What was important to us was the original idea that they wanted to move to Fitzroy North and be a part of the heritage street and the environment,” he says.

Demolishing a house in a heritage area is always a challenge, he says, because the council looks carefully at the value of the new design and how it fits into the heritage context of the street.

“So that left us with three things to think about – the heritage street, the quirky and then the slick,” Steffen says.

Steffen managed to not only blend these three conflicting ideas into a family home, but won his firm, Steffen Welsch Architects, the House in a Heritage Context category in the 2015 Houses Awards.

Landscaping helps settle the house into the site.

Timber adds warmth to any new build.

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

His success came down to the subtleties of the design and creating a facade that looked like it belonged in the street, but still stood out for all the right reasons.

“It needed to fit in but it also had to be a little bit different. It needed to be an uneasy fit,” he says.

For example, Steffen chose bricks for the front because there were many brick homes on the street. But then he had them custom made for the project so they looked slightly different.

He also had a number of them pulled out to create a subtle pattern, which added a touch of the requested quirkiness.

The polished concrete floor on the inside added the slick element, while the layout is unique yet purposefully designed for a busy professional couple. Natural light floods into this gallery-style space.

Mixed materials and open and closed shelving lend the kitchen an unfitted feel

Parquetry flooring in the dining area creates a separate zone without the need for a dividing wall.

Steffen designed a central spine in the structure, which offered a length of wall space that created a gallery-style look.

Clerestory windows above the spine mean natural light spills into the hallway.

Connected by the spine are five individual pavilions: a guest bedroom and ensuite; main bedroom and ensuite; study; dining area and kitchen; and living area and library. They are separated by three internal courtyards.

“It feels a bit like five different houses,” says Steffen, adding that this gave the build the name House in House.

“It is a relatively tight block, but because we took the building apart and separated it into these pavilions, it feels very large.

“You not only feel like you walk into a different space, but it feels like an entirely different building.”

The main bedroom and ensuite opens on to the garden.

ACCOMMODATING THE CAT

One last consideration Steffen had to make was for one of the furry members of the family. A cat needed to be able to move freely to the garage, but wasn’t happy with a stock-standard cat door. Steffen custom designed a quirky cutout, in the shape of a cat’s head, and tested different sizes until he found one the cat was willing to walk through.

Steffen says the couple is now happily living in the home the way he had envisioned and says the fact they enjoy being at home is a good sign.

“She (the client) says that she wanted to get a new job so she didn’t have to do so much travelling and could stay in the house more, which is fantastic feedback.”

Words Louise Surette

Pictures Shannon McGrath

More steffenwelsch.com.au

Originally published as Quirky design approach to heritage theme made this new home a standout