George St Residence
_renovation
completed: Aug 2009
located: Fitzroy, Melbourne
size: 300sqm approx
builder: Strongback Constructions
The house was abandoned for years and became a squat before it was set on fire half way through the design phase of the project.
Dean wanted a cellar, Lisa wanted a room for her parents who live out of town and they both wanted an environmentally sustainable house. Both clients have a strong sense of their own style so it was an easy process to guide them through the design phase, which turned out to be a great collaborative process.
Basically, we tore the house apart to let light and air into rooms that otherwise would have been very dark which created a number of landscaped courtyards and light-wells.
The glazed timber facade at the rear of the house came about as a result of relying on composition and materiality as opposed to articulation.
This project won the 2011 Victorian Institute of Architects Award in the Alterations and Additions Category.
Photographs by Jesse Marlow Photography ©
