MODERN HOUSE
By Topology Studio
The design of this family house acknowledges the legacy of the brick homes that populate this established suburb in Melbourne’s east. The starting point for the design came from a series of drawings found in The State Savings Bank of Victoria’s Design Book: Housing Loan Conditions from 1941. This book contains “thirty designs of modern dwellings” by the bank’s in-house architect G. Burridge Leith – designs that shaped the suburban streetscape of this area.
Rooms within the house are organised as simple boxes that slip past each other, creating a complex play of openings that draw light and ventilation into the centre of the house. Golden cream brickwork and raw concrete are used together with ribbed and clear glass to create a minimal yet warm palette that is coherent with and respectful of neighbouring houses. Within the boxes, curved brickwork achieves a sense of movement along the central hallway and lends a gentle asymmetry to the composition.
Spatially, the home responds to the steeply sloping block and the client’s brief for an elegant yet relaxed home that accommodates meals with a large extended family. A stepped plan allows the kitchen, dining and living rooms on the upper level to take advantage of the northerly aspect and calm treetop views, while a terrace on the lower level connects to the pool and the garden below.
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MODERN HOUSE
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About the
Professional
Topology Studio was founded by directors Amy Hallett and Darren Kaye in 2012. Together, Amy and Darren bring to their practice a combined 40 years of experience in delivering projects with inherently complex and unique briefs, and a passion for exacting design standards.
Topology Studio’s designs are informed by the unique attributes of each site, in particular, the physical landscape and the climatic conditions, to create bold, rich and meaningful places. Their work combines a design-intensive, creative approach with robust, process-driven architecture.
Having spent a decade as Associate Director at one of Australia’s most respected architecture practices, Darren has extensive experience leading residential, commercial and hospitality projects across all scales. His innovative approach to design is driven by an interest in the way sustainability principles can enhance the inhabitant’s experience of architecture, as well as the broader environment.
Amy’s experience working for leading design architects has developed her passion for detail and conceptual legibility. She has worked on numerous public, residential and educational projects in Australia and overseas, notably The British Library Centre for Conservation and The Jewish Museum in London. Having a young family has provided new insight into designing for children and families in both the residential and public spheres.
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