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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Spider House in Melbourne, Australia by ITN Architects & MMD ConstructionsMay 7th, 2019 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: ITN Architects & MMD Constructions The Spider House is an extension and renovation to a mid century solid brick suburban two level house, involving a complete aesthetic renewal of the entire house. This was achieved with a series of infill additions, new verandah structure, reconfiguring some internal walls and a part deconstruction of the tiled hip roof to form a dramatic internal ceiling, as well as a complete renovation throughout.  Image Courtesy © Prue McMillan
 Image Courtesy © Prue McMillan The idea was to bring the solid but tired suburban brick house into the 21st Century and redesign it to suit contemporary needs and standards, including passive solar design elements such as deep verandahs, light filled internal courtyards and study areas as well as ensuites and new additional bathrooms.. A separate studio apartment on the lower level was also created, and the gardens excavated and landscaped to form private courtyards. The project was a collaboration involving the architect, builder and interior designer all contributing equally in all areas of design including planning, layout, materials and budget.  Image Courtesy © Prue McMillan  Image Courtesy © Prue McMillan The interior palette and materials were kept simple and consistent and also continue externally on the building reflecting the outside within, using cedar panelling ceilings, white terrazzo flooring, white walls and brickwork and black steel trim and window frames. The exisiting heavy tiled hipped roof at the front was altered to form a windowed gable and to provide a dramatic ceiling within the living area below, bringing northerly light within to the kitchen area of the house. A verandah was added at the front to provide shade to the north and over the upper deck and entry, and to in part disguise the buildings former life as a classic suburban modern brick and tiled house.  Image Courtesy © Prue McMillan  Image Courtesy © Prue McMillan It's a somewhat risky undertaking to try to dramatically alter the aesthetics of suburban houses like these both internally and externally and emerge with a successful project. Fortunately this building had solid brick walls throughout, concrete floors and a rational layout and as such could handle these dramatic alterations in part without becoming confused, awkward or clumsy. By keeping the colours and materials simple and natural yet strong, the existing house doesn't become overwhelmed with newness and consequently remains strong and deliberate. The internal materials are reflected externally using similar cedar timber, white terrazzo stone, black steel trim and white bricks.  Image Courtesy © Prue McMillan  Image Courtesy © Prue McMillan The thoroughness on the renovation allowed the building to be brought up to contemporary stardards in areas such as ceiling and roof insulation, new windows and frames with contemporary sealed glazing, roof water collection tanks and water recycling, as well as water and energy efficient fixtures and fittings. The daring and challenge of re imagining this suburban modern brick beast as a lighter more elegant and stylish dwelling is the strength of this project.  Image Courtesy © Prue McMillan  Image Courtesy © Prue McMillan External roof forms are reflected within for dramatic effect with feature cedar timber ceilings and verandahs providing a counterpoint to the horizontalness of it's suburban past. The existing heavy tiled hipped roof at the front was altered to form a windowed gable and to provide a dramatic ceiling within the living area below, bringing northerly light within to the kitchen area of the house. A verandah was added at the front to provide shade to the north and over the upper deck and entry, and to in part disguise the buildings former life as a classic suburban modern brick and tiled house.  Image Courtesy © Prue McMillan  Image Courtesy © Prue McMillan  Image Courtesy © Prue McMillan  Image Courtesy © Prue McMillan  Image Courtesy © Prue McMillan  Image Courtesy © Prue McMillan  Image Courtesy © Prue McMillan  Image Courtesy © Prue McMillan  Image Courtesy © ITN Architects & MMD Constructions  Image Courtesy © ITN Architects & MMD Constructions
Categories: House, Renovation, Residential |
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