Fitzroy North House

Petersen D72 bricks deliver a tactile, contemporary addition in Fitzroy North

It’s a simple, elegant, well-considered design that inspires a sense of tranquillity and comfort from the busyness of the outside world. Fitzroy North House is a labour of love for interior designer Alessia Ferrarini and partner Ben, tailored to the needs of their young, growing family. More than that, it celebrates the completion of the first project in Alessia’s newly founded practice, Alessia Ferrarini Design Studio.

The heritage-listed, two-bedroom terrace, purchased in a state of disrepair in late 2020, has been thoughtfully restored and extended into a three bedroom, two storey home. Both Alessia and Ben loved the location and the heritage frontage, retaining it as a unique aspect in the design. Perhaps the greatest challenge was balancing the heritage aesthetic with a new contemporary addition, while minimising the visual impact of the first floor extension on the streetscape.

Collaborating with Cera Stribley on the design achieved that, and more.

Alessia’s Italian heritage, and qualification as an architect in Milan, combined with Ben’s involvement in property development gave them a strong sense of space, shapes and volumes, so when they met with Cera Stribley they knew exactly what they wanted.

“I wanted something simple. As a designer, I often find all the latest trends for interior spaces a little bit overwhelming. For my own house, I started with the concept of simplicity to design the interior and the exterior. I didn’t want anything overdesigned,” Alessia explains.

The long, narrow block made optimising space a key priority, as well as incorporating high ceilings and skylights to create clean, breathable, light-filled spaces, and contribute to a sense of wellbeing.

Retaining and restoring the two bedrooms at the front, the remainder of the home was then removed and replaced with a new extension containing a bathroom, laundry, living room and kitchen on the ground floor. Upstairs a parent’s retreat includes a master bedroom, ensuite, walk in robe and study, along with a rooftop terrace capturing views of the local area.

The material palette is seamless across the internal and external design: “I love natural materials, so my palette was really instinctive and natural; that’s what guided me to the choices,” Alessia says.

Externally, the brick is the hero of the extension, reflecting Alessia’s heritage:

“I have a real passion for bricks - it's probably because of my Italian heritage and the fundamental importance they have in Italian architecture, so it had a big influence on me,” Alessia remarks.

Cream coloured Petersen D72 bricks are used on the façade of the new addition, beautifully complementing the heritage façade, while also expressing a more contemporary aesthetic.

While Alessia focused her time on the interiors, Ben was tasked with sourcing the best solution, something he is familiar with in his line of work. The selection journey involved plenty of time and research to find the right brick. Having previously sourced solutions from Robertson’s Building Products, Ben came across the Petersen D72 brick and, attracted by its rawness and imperfections, he immediately knew it hit the mark in terms of colour and texture.

“And as soon as I saw the Petersen D72 brick I thought it was perfect. It’s a warm brick, and also a bit rustic and earthy, and quite natural. It’s got that imperfect European feel to it, as opposed to just having a flat cream brick with no texture or character,” Ben says.

Inside, simple minimalism makes Fitzroy North House a standout.

Alessia’s interior design skills come into play, continuing the natural, tactile palette, with exceptional attention to detail. Venetian plaster, natural stone, timber, exposed concrete and steel accents create warm, tranquil spaces referencing Alessia’s Italian heritage. No space is over-designed, quite the contrary. It’s simple and clean, and capable of evolving with the family’s changing stages in life.

“The house feels easy and simple, young and comfortable. And equally it feels like it will grow with us,” Alessia comments.

The neutrality of the architectural interiors creates ample space for the art, design pieces and handmade ceramics that Alessia has collected over the years to stand out:

“The whole idea was about coming home to a calm ambiance, having nice spaces where we feel at ease, peaceful and relaxed. And that's also something that comes from the palette – the walls are off white, which contributes to the sense of calm. The finishes, the art, the furniture and the objects all combine in a nice balanced space,” Alessia reflects.

Designing and building a home for their young family to live in was exceptionally rewarding, almost like watching life, work and building collide, with extraordinary results. The collaboration with Cera Stribley was seamless, delivering the warm, serene and comfortable home they intended.

As Ben says, “at the end of the day, it’s about having a beautiful house that we’ve finished and put a lot of work into and getting to enjoy it together.” Alessia agrees, loving the calm home they’ve created, though the real cherry on top comes from having a beautiful showcase for potential clients, demonstrating the exceptional, well-considered designs that Alessia Ferrarini Design Studio will deliver.

Architect: Cera Stribley

Interiors: Alessia Ferrarini Design Studio

Product: Petersen D72 bricks

Builder: Ferne Build

Landscape: Giardini Verdi

Photography: Tom Ross