Fitzroy is a famous suburban area of Melbourne in which most of the residents are workers. The narrow terraced houses built on a row, known as townhouses in the US, are very typical in this area to deal with the dense population.
Located on Moor street, a family with two young children decided to transform their Moor House so it would sustain all family activities as the children will grow. This renovation which was carried out by Austin Maynard Architects included a new extension in the rear part and recreated the interior distribution and look, meanwhile, it left the pre-existing facade and front apartment.
Apartment Extension as New Lifestyle in Fitzroy
The typical terraced apartment building seems to be a cultural heritage that is regulated in this area. It seems that many developers only redo and tidy up the part while they can make the interior and rear parts have a heavy evolution.
The narrow area, which is only around 4.5 m or 14 feet, was a real challenge in this renovation project, but later it became a point that made a special character displayed nicely by this apartment. With an overlooked rear part, the contractor took this as an opportunity to fulfill the owner’s wish in this project.
The apartment extension was actually the only option for many renovation projects in this area or others with the similar context. However, it can’t put a limit on creating a livable place for living as space maximizing can be done in several ways.
Renovation Concept and Strategy
The tactic applied to this renovation was to remove the lean-tos of the rear building part that formerly was the space for kitchen, dining, bathroom, and laundry. It was then replaced and extended to relocate those functional spaces with a contemporary style structure.
The new structure was set to resemble stacked objects which one in the bottom and two on the upper level. The new structure was extended and attached to the old structure so it creates a singularity that will ease the owner to maintain their home.
With this new extended space, the house’s new spatial distribution was designed to attain maximum functionality that will improve the house value as it was the purpose needed by the client.
The concept brought to this house is a new urban style with modern contemporary attachments. Some aspects were developed with new and actual style to satisfy the thirst of modernity.
The new main bathroom, for instance, was designed for showing the lavish lifestyle designed in an open upper level with a wide glass wall. It has direct access to see the disclosed area that is decorated by a Japanese maple tree.
The lightwell is indeed sacrificing some space that might be useful for other functions, yet the style is really valuable for the family as it can enhance family quality time around this valuable ornament.
Project Year: 2012
Photographs: Peter Bennetts
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