Architecture Architecture

Turnaround House


Turnaround House

Turnaround House

Architecture Architecture

STATUS
Built

AREA
25,000 Sqft - 100,000 Sqft

YEAR
2013

LOCATION
Melbourne, Australia

TYPE
Residential › Private House

This project is an extension to a Victorian-era house in Abbotsford, Melbourne. The brief called for new open-plan living areas, a new kitchen, bathroom, and study nook.

Turnaround House
Turnaround House

Against the odds, this modest extension has turned a dark, cramped residence with little backyard to spare, into a light-filled house with fantastic indoor and outdoor entertaining areas. 

The existing house was south-facing, casting itself into shadow, with unsightly neighboring buildings imposing on all sides. 

Turnaround House
Turnaround House

By creating a U-shaped extension along the property boundaries, Architecture Architecture has turned everything around. Now the house enjoys a generous private courtyard, with sunlight throughout the year.

From the outside, the steep, raked roof deftly negotiates planning regulations, allowing for generous ceilings and high-level clerestory louvres.

Turnaround House
Turnaround House

In stark contrast with these windows, an unapologetic blank brick wall hovers over the courtyard, boldly declaring a distinction between the two sides of the living areas within.

One side, more intimate, opens up to the courtyard, the other, with views to the passing clouds, admits northern sunlight in the wintertime.

Along both sides of the courtyard, a pair of long bench seats soften the threshold between indoors and out. One serves the living areas, the other serves the courtyard.

At the back of each bench, bi-fold windows draw back, allowing the house to throw itself open to the outdoors or to close-off—adapting as required.

The material palette further assists in relaxing the otherwise clear geometries of this house. Exposed recycled brick (an echo of Abbotsford’s industrial heritage) and white timber boards (a staple of the modest residential extension), subtly breach the delineation of indoors and outdoors, weaving the two together.

Turnaround House
Turnaround House

The optimized solar orientation along with the use of brick walls and a dark concrete slab for thermal mass, ensure that this is a high-comfort, low-energy house all year round, ideal for entertaining—a true turnaround.


Turnaround House

Architecture Architecture
T +61 3 94170995
Architecture Architecture
123 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065, Australia