FMD Architects, Inc.

Cross-Stitch House

Cross-Stitch House

FMD Architects

Cross-Stitch House
Cross-Stitch House

ARCHITECTS
FMD Architects

SIZE
1000 sqft - 3000 sqft

STATUS
Built

YEAR
2013

LOCATION
Melbourne, Australia

CATEGORY
Residential › Private House

Cross-Stitch House

The site is a single-story terrace on a small 16-foot wide block in the inner city of Melbourne. 

The brief was to create new living and dining spaces, relocate the existing kitchen and bathrooms and improve access to natural light in the main living and main bedroom areas.

The existing Victorian eastern end of the house containing two bedrooms was to remain and be refurbished.

Cross-Stitch House
Cross-Stitch House
Cross-Stitch House

The functional requirements of the client were simple.

The only particular requirement was to find a place in the design for three tapestries of houses that her mother had made.

The architects’ design strategy is always to celebrate the particularities of the project, so while exploring the tradition of tapestry and stitching techniques, the concept of stitching the new house form to the old established the design approach.

Cross-Stitch House
Cross-Stitch House
Cross-Stitch House

The timber beams form the thread that stitches the new living room to the existing house, then beyond to the western courtyard.

The timber beams at the northern point converge into a large timber column, reminiscent of a bobbin thread.

Cross-Stitch House
Cross-Stitch House

Within the courtyard a mirror is positioned strategically at the end of the threads to extend the space and create a sense of unravelling (while concealing the services of the building). The timber threads twist over the western façade to provide added shading to the living area which will soon be overgrown by greenery.


Cross-Stitch House
Cross-Stitch House
Cross-Stitch House
Cross-Stitch House

FMD Architects, Inc.
T +1 330 8362343 F +1 330 8367359
FMD Architects, Inc.
3200 W Market St # 205, Fairlawn, OH 44333, United States