* Residential Architecture: Nicholson Residence by Matt Gibson Architecture + Design

Residential Architecture: Nicholson Residence by Matt Gibson Architecture + Design: “Australian architect Matt Gibson designed the Nicholson Residence in Melbourne, Australia…This renovation involved the renovation of a Federation single fronted terrace (house) within a heritage overlay including the provision of a series of first floor level spaces that cantilever deep into a previously treed rear of the site. The rear addition presents as a long, tall timber-clad tube wrapped around the remaining existing boundary walls and cleared out GFL interior..The newer works provide a more generous engagement with the exterior and garden foliage via extensive use of glass and continuity of material externally. A whimsical and artistic ‘giving back’ to the parkland legacy is provided at first floor level in the form of a steel sheet external graphic ‘appliqué’ and internal decal..This provides texture and interest for both interior and exterior whilst enabling a functional Planning outcome preventing overlooking to neighbours. The colour and material palette is deliberately restrained so as not to compete with the exterior, or with the family’s accumulated artwork and furnishings..”   Extensive glazing, natural light, skylights, black window framing; interesting materiality and interior volumes; indoor / outdoor sensibility..

See our posts on two other homes by Matt Gibson Architecture + Design:

• Residential Architecture: Shakin Stevens House by Matt Gibson Architecture + Design
• Residential Architecture: Kooyong Residence by Matt Gibson Architecture

image + article: Contemporist

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* Residential Architecture: Shakin Stevens House by Matt Gibson Architecture + Design

Residential Architecture: Shakin Stevens House by Matt Gibson Architecture + Design: “..Matt Gibson Architecture + Design have designed the Shakin Stevens House in Melbourne, Australia..The conceptual drive for the interior of this house is largely in response to a brief which crystallised into a need to be connected with ‘green’ space. Beyond the heritage front the project wanted to not necessarily increase floor area but to increase amenity. To make spaces feel bigger, more functional, to be light filled, and to visually extend & borrow from within and beyond the site..‘Shakin Stevens’ is not only about a coloured front door but the experience of what’s beyond it. Conceptually beyond this green door, there are no doors; the newer space is about flow and continuity where delineation of space is soft and less finite than expected from the street.  In a clear formal idea the rear composes 3 extruded white cubes that look essentially like they have been let go, landing like dice randomly on top of each other next to a Victorian ‘monopoly’) house. The 3 cubes, as with the existing villa, are composed so as to be immediately deciphered internally or externally and in clear programmatic zones all house different functions. The cubes which are opened at their ends (or sides where required) are utilised as devices to orchestrate views to green elements within the structure and to greenery within or beyond the site..The client requested a predominantly white interior with a feature highlight colour. Green became an obvious choice, working in combination with the proximity of the garden. The green spaces within and beyond the site became the focus with the white cubes acting as lens for these events – effectively assisting in bringing the green inside and dissolving barriers of enclosure. In this way interior, exterior, landscape & old and new – through colour – all inform each other with equal importance..‘Shakin Stevens’ utilises many ESD principles – retention of existing structure, orientation and configuration of new works, sun protection (eaves), exposed thermal mass, passive temperature regulation, low embodied energy construction techniques & materials, structural depth within walls for mass bulk insulation with R values, insulation of entire  existing dwelling (floor, walls, ceiling), use of recycled timber flooring/decking. A grey water system, 2 side water storage tanks, fake grass & ‘succulent’ planting temper water usage whilst providing intrinsic features of the colour scheme. Beyond these this project is about providing a future robustness, better utilisation of amenity and a more fuller embracing of its urban condition. They have borrowed what was previously laying dormant within and beyond their walls. This new layout provides for a sustainable model of space/s that can sustain user types (a couple, 2 couples, a family with teenagers, guests) through separation of sleeping zones about a flexible living zone that they can upsize (externally).  This project embraces it’s ‘green-ness’. Colour was a vital strategy in adding glow and clarity to this expression on a number of levels..”  Dramatic contemporary renovation and extension of an existing victorian home; extensive glazing, natural light, interior / exterior views; distinctive form; indoor / outdoor and green sensibility..

image + article: Contemporist

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* Residential Architecture: Tramway House by Vibe Design Group

Residential Architecture: Tramway House by Vibe Design Group: “..Located in Beaumaris, the subject site offered a sense of locality with an appreciation of the bay through a perpendicular street. The client brief called for a family home to temporarily accommodate their children who were nearing adulthood, and visiting international guests. Preference was made for the master bedroom to be located on the lower story along with the primary living spaces..Off-street parking was required for three vehicles, one of which was a race car that seldom required roadway access. The unusual shaped site triggered a dynamic design response, unique in both shape and form. Given the client’s involvement in motorsport, we were motivated to create a sense of movement, which resulted in a zinc-clad box appearing to have dropped in part to create a private entry with balcony over. A battened timber system was not only used to balance the façade, it also disguises the vehicle access, and partially screens the windows in the primary living space from passers by..The splayed living area features the kitchen, laundry and scullery at the narrowed end, opening to the dining and lounge area at the other. A timber-lined wall defines the end of the space and features a fireplace and wall-mounted television, before wrapping the corner and leading to a crossroads in the floor plan layout. This point signifies the access point from the garage, staircase ascending to the upper story or sliding wall access into the sitting area/study and master bedroom. Integrated access doors into the cellar and powder room are also disguised in the horizontally lined messmate feature wall..A flexible upper story layout accommodates the immediate needs of the client’s children, with an optional isolated ‘apartment style’ space for visiting guests. The irregular shaped spaces throughout create a fluidity and functionality, which could not have been achieved with a conventional rectangular format. Furthermore, it allowed for the north facing entertaining space, with swimming pool and landscaped area, to be fully maximised. As viewed from the rear, the lower story has a lightweight feel and provides all rooms an appreciation of the swimming pool and landscaped garden..The upper story hovers above as though it were a floating sculpture. The zinc form is punched-in to give the guest bedroom a protected low-line window with direct line of sight to the swimming pool. We broke the shackles of conventionality and allowed the site’s inherent possibilities to guide the design process, which resulted in a dynamic solution. With sustainability always a primary consideration, optimum orientation combined with slab-on-ground construction and high-performing windows ensure year-round comfort for the occupants, with minimal mechanical assistance..”  Interesting form; extensive glazing, natural light, garden views..

image: Robert Hamer; article: Contemporist

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* Residential Architecture: Franke House by Studio Architecture Gestalten

Residential Architecture: Franke House by Studio Architecture Gestalten: “..The bottom floor and courtyard of this house in Melbourne, Australia by Studio Architecture Gestalten are sunk underground..Residents enter through a timber-framed door, which leads straight into a living room and kitchen that occupies the entire ground floor..Stairs lead down to two bedrooms and a utility room below, which each open out onto the sunken courtyard..The pitched roof of the house is clad in the same grey render as the exterior walls and has no eaves..”  Extensive glazing, sunken courtyard, privacy; interesting interior volumes..

image: Nils Koenning; article: Dezeen

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