Martin Street House is a compact renovation and extension of a Victorian era workers cottage in South Melbourne. Set on a small 164m2 site surrounded by multiple neighbouring properties, the designing principles were to reinvent the dark original cottage by responding to the character and spatial rhythms of the site and original dwelling.
A singular open plan provides a generous living area suitable for a growing family, whilst the layout allows the dual living spaces to address the need for shared open common spaces for family interaction and the need for private spaces. The seamless design retains a sense of the historic fabric and facade, yet the open flowing spaces within are more communal than the original and encourage more interaction within the interior. In search of north light and additional space, the resulting volumes have been designed from within to provide an optimised light and voluminous interior, whilst embracing the need for an inner realm of calm and tranquillity.
The re-imagined interior is animated throughout the day by allowing daylight to penetrate deep into the living areas, connecting occupants with the environment. The key social space is centred around the Kitchen, perhaps the most important element of the Brief and family life.
This is large, dominant and celebratory, heart of the house and family, its importance is reflected in its location and visual impact. Central to the design is the pursuit of integration to create seamless calm interior spaces free of excess. The demands of contemporary living have been integrated within the design allowing a sense of generosity and richness to permeate throughout. The new dwelling imparts a durable and sustainable model for quality urban living.
Key products used:
New roofing ; Nailstrip by Fielders in Colorbond Monument
Ground floor courtyard ; Blackbutt decking
Flooring
Ground Floor ; Royal Oak engineered timber floorboards in White smoke
First Floor ; Tretford carper in Larch
Door hardware ; Designer Doorware joinery handles and Lockwood Robert Watson door range
Tapware ; Astra Walker Icon range in Iron Bronze
Bathroom wall tiles ; Carrara marble tiles
Bathroom floor tiles ; porcelian floor tiles in November Rain by Classic Ceramics
What was the brief?
Designed for a growing family, Martin Street house is an extension and renovation of a Victorian era workers cottage in South Melbourne. Strict planning regulations such as height requirements, overlooking and overshadowing prompted spatial cues which resulted in the houses sculptured form.
Optimising the sites natural daylight and ventilation, the house breathes life into the heart of the dwelling on a constrained site. While manipulation of light and space allowed north light to articulate the interior, the rebuilt original framework provides thermal comfort and amenity for sustainable urban living.
