Buck & Simple

Fitzroy North House

Fitzroy North House 

buck&simple

Fitzroy North House
© Marnie Hawson

ARCHITECTS
Buck&simple

LEAD ARCHITECT AND INTERIOR DESIGN
Kurt Crisp

MANUFACTURERS
Astra Walker, Autodesk Revit, Cdk Stone, Caroma, Dulux, Fibonacci , Paul Agnew Designs, Phelan Interiors (Joiner), Skyrange, Tovo Lighting, Tongue N Groove

SURVEYOR
Peter Richards Surveying

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Dcg Group

CONTRACTOR
Momentum Building Group

LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Inge Jabara Landscapes

PHOTOGRAPHS
Marnie Hawson

AREA
162 M²

YEAR
2021

LOCATION
Melbourne, Australia

CATEGORY
Houses

Fitzroy North House
© Marnie Hawson

English description provided by the architects.

Located on the traditional lands of the Kulin people, this Fitzroy North home is nestled within a typical inner-north suburban street.

Thoughtfully integrated landscaping ensures privacy in the front yard while concealing an urban oasis at the rear.

Fitzroy North House
© Marnie Hawson
Fitzroy North House
© Marnie Hawson
Fitzroy North House
© Marnie Hawson

Buck&simple's role in transforming this family residence was to reimagine its core living areas, fostering a seamless connection between the house and its lush backyard retreat.

The original home bore the marks of time, with high ceilings and timber floors that creaked gently underfoot. However, a stark contrast existed between the airy, light-filled front rooms and the later, cluttered renovations at the rear.

The redesign sought to bring a sense of calm, order, and spatial hierarchy back into the home, creating a clear delineation between functional spaces while supporting the dynamic lifestyle of its owners.

Fitzroy North House
© Marnie Hawson
Fitzroy North House
© Marnie Hawson

A key intervention was the re-establishment of the kitchen as the heart of the home. The existing layout hindered the homeowners' ability to cook and entertain simultaneously.

By relocating the cooktop to the island, the new design fosters a social atmosphere, enabling interaction while preparing meals.

Fitzroy North House
© Marnie Hawson
Fitzroy North House
© Marnie Hawson

The living spaces were also repositioned to embrace the natural outlook, strengthening the relationship between the interiors and the surrounding greenery.

To further enhance comfort and energy efficiency, a combination of resilient, tactile materials was employed.

Fitzroy North House
© Marnie Hawson
Fitzroy North House
© Marnie Hawson

A terrazzo tile floor grounds the home, offering excellent thermal properties and durability, while blonde herringbone timber flooring softens the atmosphere in quieter spaces like the bedrooms.

Blackbutt veneer joinery was incorporated throughout, maintaining a consistent timber aesthetic and harmonizing with the owners' beloved bespoke master bed.

Fitzroy North House
© Marnie Hawson
Fitzroy North House
© Marnie Hawson

Fixtures in brass and black finishes complement the detailing in the steel doors and lighting, ensuring a cohesive palette.

The transformation of the rear living areas introduced a striking feature fireplace, black steel-framed doors that help retain warmth, and a circular skylight that invites natural light deep into the space.

The back wall was replaced with expansive sliding glass doors, creating an uninterrupted flow between the indoors and the newly landscaped garden, designed in collaboration with Inge Jabara Landscapes.

Fitzroy North House
© Marnie Hawson
Fitzroy North House
© Marnie Hawson
Fitzroy North House
© Marnie Hawson

What made this project truly successful was the synergy between the architectural team and the client—a relationship built on trust and a shared commitment to design excellence.

The result is a thoughtfully curated family home that balances function, warmth, and aesthetic consistency, delivering a refined yet inviting space tailored to its inhabitants' active lifestyle.


Fitzroy North House
Floor Plan


Fitzroy North House
Site Plan

Buck & Simple
Buck & Simple
102/46-48 E Esplanade, Manly NSW 2095, Australia