McBride Charles Ryan Architecture + Interior Design

Cloud House

CLOUD HOUSE

McBride Charles Ryan

Cloud House
Courtesy of McBride Charles Ryan

ARCHITECTS
McBride Charles Ryan

LOCATION
Fitzroy North, Australia

EXTENSION AREA
70 sqm

AREA
220.0 sqm

PROJECT YEAR
2012

Cloud House
Courtesy of McBride Charles Ryan

Text description provided by architect.

The Cloud House is an addition and renovation to a double-fronted Edwardian house in Fitzroy North. Over the course of close to a century, this house has received several additions and modifications.

McBride Charles Ryan’s work for the house is designed in three parts. This allows for a sequence of distinct and unexpected episodes, with glimpses previewing oncoming spaces and experiences as you move through the home.

Cloud House
Courtesy of McBride Charles Ryan
Cloud House
Courtesy of McBride Charles Ryan

The street facade has been left to demonstrate the clients’ respect for the evolution of the character of the area and the modest street alteration belies the extent of the comprehensive internal renovation work.

The spaces within the original structure are largely white in colour, united by exotic floral hallway carpet. This journey through the space is followed by encountering a disintegrated red-coloured ‘box’.

Cloud House
Courtesy of McBride Charles Ryan
Cloud House
Courtesy of McBride Charles Ryan

This is the kitchen, at the heart of the property, which acts as a bridge linking the major spaces.A cloud-shaped extrusion is the unexpected final space

Following the form of a child-like impression of a cloud it is a playful addition where family and friends can eat and have fun surrounded by the curved form.

Cloud House
Courtesy of McBride Charles Ryan
Cloud House
Courtesy of McBride Charles Ryan

The new living addition faces due south while allowing controlled north sun into the living area and providing effective cross ventilation. The form of the ‘cloud’ conforms to setback regulations without appearing obviously determined by them.

The extrusion creates a dramatic interior language where walls merge seamlessly with the floor and ceiling.

Cloud House
Courtesy of McBride Charles Ryan
Cloud House
Courtesy of McBride Charles Ryan
Cloud House
Courtesy of McBride Charles Ryan

The craftsmanship is remarkable throughout; it has a sense of care one typically associates with the work of a cooper or wheelwright.

While the geometry is playful, the extrusion is essentially a contemporary barrel vault. It is our hope that this cloud has a ‘silver lining’.

Cloud House
Courtesy of McBride Charles Ryan
Cloud House
Courtesy of McBride Charles Ryan
Cloud House
Courtesy of McBride Charles Ryan
Cloud House
Courtesy of McBride Charles Ryan


Cloud House
Floor
Cloud House
Cross_Section

McBride Charles Ryan Architecture + Interior Design
T +61 3 95101006 F +61 3 95100205
McBride Charles Ryan Architecture + Interior Design
2 Carlton Street, Prahran VIC 3181, Australia