Sharif Abraham Pty Ltd

Clifton Hill House In Melbourne

Clifton Hill House In Melbourne
© Matthew Stanton

CLIFTON HILL HOUSE IN MELBOURNE

Sharif Abraham Architects

PHOTOGRAPHS
Matthew Stanton

YEAR
2010

LOCATION
Melbourne, Australia

CATEGORY
Houses

Text description provided by architect.

Located on a site with two street frontages, about 5 Km from the central business district, the house is part original and part addition- linked by a corridor and separated by a courtyard. The original fronts a picturesque street-scape, rebuilt in sympathy with its Art Deco architecture.

Clifton Hill House In Melbourne
© Matthew Stanton
Clifton Hill House In Melbourne
© Matthew Stanton

The new work, containing the living spaces, is designed to operate as a facade to the rear street and as “sculptural form” to a future garden. It is constructed of a series of dynamic volumes oriented to capture sunlight to the interior.

Conceptually, the interior is an abstraction in black and white- curved black veneer punctuates the space vertically and white walls modulate the space horizontally.

Clifton Hill House In Melbourne
© Matthew Stanton
Clifton Hill House In Melbourne
© Matthew Stanton
Clifton Hill House In Melbourne
© Matthew Stanton

Although the use of curves connects with the natural form of the tree, bending the timber across its grain introduces tension and abstraction not normally associated with “feature” decoration.

The timber is sourced from the trunk of a single tree- allowing the entire variation of natural grain to be represented.

The outside of the trunk, where the grain is younger, is located high in the space and it progressively descends to the joinery and intimate spaces where the core is dense and dark.

Clifton Hill House In Melbourne
© Matthew Stanton
Clifton Hill House In Melbourne
© Matthew Stanton
Clifton Hill House In Melbourne
© Matthew Stanton

The exterior is detailed to reflect the finesse of a line drawing. Edges are defined by aluminium sections giving the mass a lightness of tectonic representation.

In some instances steel windows are positioned to sit in line with the façade so as to appear drawn on the wall rather than penetrating the wall.

A corridor with a continuous fluorescent beam intervenes the original part of the house, and connects the living spaces with two new bathrooms. The first bathroom is clad in black tiles.

Clifton Hill House In Melbourne
© Matthew Stanton
Clifton Hill House In Melbourne
© Matthew Stanton

The universal and consistent application of the tiles, which also includes the ceiling, alludes to an idea of cave, whilst its blackness visually magnifies and exaggerates the occupant’s naked flesh.

The other bathroom, finished in reflective bronze tiles, is open to the courtyard. Here the tiles were chosen because of their sensitivity to change in natural light, allowing the “mood” of the exterior to be represented throughout the day.

Clifton Hill House In Melbourne
© Matthew Stanton
Clifton Hill House In Melbourne
© Matthew Stanton

When one closes the door of these spaces its as if they exist independent of the utility of domestic life, allowing a moment to engage in an intimate dialogue with the new architecture.


Clifton Hill House In Melbourne
© Matthew Stanton
Clifton Hill House In Melbourne
© Matthew Stanton
Clifton Hill House In Melbourne
© Matthew Stanton
Clifton Hill House In Melbourne
© Matthew Stanton
Clifton Hill House In Melbourne
© Matthew Stanton
Clifton Hill House In Melbourne
© Matthew Stanton


Clifton Hill House In Melbourne
Floor Plan
Clifton Hill House In Melbourne
Section

Sharif Abraham Pty Ltd
T +61 3 96422558
Sharif Abraham Pty Ltd
1/358 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia