By Holmes Architecture
RnR Studio was conceived as a blend of necessity and elegance, crafted to fulfil the dual purpose of providing accommodation for visiting guests and a functional laundry space for the existing home.
Commissioned by a client seeking to accommodate her overseas mother while maintaining the tranquillity of her home, this project aspires to consolidate serenity and efficiency. Sited discreetly within the confines of the backyard of an existing villa, RnR Studio stands as a detached haven, offering a quiet place of contemplation, accommodation and utility. Confronted with the challenge of limited available space, the design responds with ingenuity, embracing a super compact and efficient layout without compromising on comfort or functionality.
The architectural solution adopts a simple yet sophisticated approach, manifesting as an rectangular structure with a linear arrangement of spaces along a narrow footprint. Within the available margins an ensuite bathroom, queen-size bed, cosy reading nook, and tea station all seamlessly integrate to maximise utility.
While the exterior exudes simplicity, thoughtful details such as strong rectilinear roof form crown the structure, offering a striking contrast to the surrounding greenery. Generous recesses and meticulously crafted timber screens adorn the facade, providing both privacy and shading, while inviting glimpses of the warm interior within.
The exterior palette is understated but carefully composed. Natural macrocarpa timber is set against paint-finished exaggerated barge details. These elements not only enhance the visual appeal but also ensure durability and resilience against the elements.
Stepping inside, a light material palette creates a calm and tranquil ambience, offsetting the small volume. Paired-back birch built-in joinery works in concert with feature mid-century furnishings to create a space that is both timeless and inviting. Every detail, from the choice of materials to the placement of furniture, has been meticulously curated to evoke a sense of warmth and comfort.
RnR Studio is a testament to the potential of thoughtful design in transforming constraints into opportunities. With its compact yet efficient layout, elegant aesthetic, and serene ambiance, it offers a sanctuary where guests can unwind and rejuvenate amidst the quaint private setting.
With a family heritage in construction and as a qualified builder himself, Mike Holmes established Holmes Architecture while completing the Masters of Architecture programme at Victoria University.
Working on complex residential and commercial projects fostered an affinity with built form, and Holmes Architecture was initiated through connecting this intimate knowledge of the construction process with an intuition and passion for architecture and design.
Mike’s approach to the design process is fluid and intuitive, although his non-linear approach is always coupled with a strong sense of identity, purpose and process - “Establishing identity is fundamental to the creative process and establishing who you, and your clients are, will ensure a clear project vision.”
Identity may be revealed in a multitude of ways: architectural style, environmental considerations, materiality, detailing, form, relationship to landscape - in either case a strong sense of form and composition is often a theme of the practice. Client and context is the first conversation initiated in each project, where the many competing forces of the design brief are reconciled through design thinking, visualisation and documentation.
Mike believes that architecture is communication in both practice and product - “The spark that delivers an initial design insight is a relatively brief moment in the process. The practice of architecture is then the communication of this brief and intense moment. What elevates buildings to architecture is when a designer has something worthwhile to say and does so in an insightful and honest way.”
Mikes ultimate aim is that unexpected and delightful design solutions are achieved through balancing function, construction and efficiency with a deep empathy for site, context and client.