• Shannon McGrath

    Shannon McGrath

  • Shannon McGrath

    Shannon McGrath

  • Shannon McGrath

    Shannon McGrath

  • Shannon McGrath

    Shannon McGrath

  • Shannon McGrath

    Shannon McGrath

  • Shannon McGrath

    Shannon McGrath

  • Shannon McGrath

    Shannon McGrath

  • Shannon McGrath

    Shannon McGrath

  • Shannon McGrath

    Shannon McGrath

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Studiofour’s holistic Australian architecture, interiors and landscape

Melbourne Mayfield Avenue residence explores the duality that can be created between architecture and the interiors

by Georgina Johnston 27 February 2020

Having had a brief from the client, contrasting the external with internal, Studiofour managed to achieve a cohesive outcome. A strong, structural tectonic defines the architectural form, and is balanced with a distinctly warm interior. The clean lined building forms are paired with a layered interior palette, that took its colour variation from the inherent veining of a natural stone selected early in the design process. The refined architectural detailing is finished with natural textures and subtle colour shifts, from clay brickwork to rose linen accents, creating a robust yet calming home. 

Located on a north-facing greenfield site, Melbourne, Australia, surrounded by large scale dwellings, the site offered challenges with its size and orientation. The concept for this home was formed around a central garden, overlaid with an architectural framework comprising solid planes and interconnecting screens that is used to direct views through the site.  

On the upper levels, the screen is used to provide privacy from the street below, whilst maximizing interaction with the adjacent landscape, in particular with the existing Jacaranda tree to the front of the site.

The framework is layered with solid planes, these planes are used to define volumes, interconnect spaces, provide privacy, and ultimately control and promote engagement within the home and externally towards the surrounding landscape.

The architectural footprint upon which the framework was established was generated to capture northern light into two separate living areas, while softer light was sought for the kitchen, dining and sleeping areas. Cold, dark stagnant spaces were avoided and expanses of glazed sliding doors ensure all volumes are provided with fresh air, an abundance of natural light and garden aspect.

Typical open plan living was avoided in search for separate, calm and purposeful spaces. This need for separation and acoustic privacy drove the form of the building, while a layered approach of filtered built elements, such as the steel screening and double sided fireplaces, enabled the level of family interaction required.

A quality of space that provides both a sense of sanctuary, enclosure and comfort was sought; whilst offering a level of immersion within the landscape. The horizontality of the architectural form was emphasised with an oversized eave and further strengthened by filling in vertical joints in brickwork and raking existing horizontal joint lines.

The clean lined building forms are paired with a layered interior palette, that took its colour variation from the inherent veining of a striking natural stone selected early in the design process.

The need for separation and acoustic privacy drove the form of the building, while a layered approach of filtered built elements, such as the steel screening and double-sided fireplaces, enabled the level of family interaction required.

Feature marble in master ensuite; the natural colour variation from the veining is picked up in the linen bedding.  On the upper levels, the screen is used to provide privacy from the street below, whilst maximizing interaction with the adjacent landscape, in particular with the existing Jacaranda tree to the front of the site.


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