It can be incredibly gratifying to revive a house in which the residents live for more than 20 years. The common memories and experiences can feel like a warm hug. This property in Melbourne was renovated for the first time by the owners more than 20 years ago, and a decade later, a large landscape construction project delivered a lush green oasis as a framework.
The need for overhaul, in which the two sons grew into teenagers, was very noticeable. This time the company included the expansion of the original footprint by adding a split level and a second floor. The owners hired the Lucy Marczyk Design Studio together with three C architects and Lisa Ellis Gardens for the project. “The vision was to combine inheritance with a contemporary lifestyle in the heart of Melbourne in downtown Melbourne,” says Lucy.
The house has a good -looking Victorian facade with iron verands, and the front four rooms should be carefully restored. In the back area, an ultra-intensive expansion of the black powder-coated metal shape. Lucy explains: “Basically, the design of function and calmly was driven, shaped by the appreciation of our studio for” Ma ” – the Japanese philosophy of the negative space, in which every element has space to breathe.”
The opening gambit is the entry in which a Bluestone path roams the established garden. One of the most important principles of the project was interaction and connection with the garden, and the owners again turned to landscape designer Lisa Ellis, who had worked on the original concept. “The front garden had matured into a sanctuary and the new expansion was designed so that they repeat this atmosphere,” says Lucy.
New plantings, including tree ferns and succulents, became softer and improved the structure and at the same time offer a lavish view from every room.
Throughout the house there is a Japanese aesthetics from the name 'Komorebi House', which “filters sunlight that filter through trees on the forest floor” to the Japandi style of the inner fitout, which connects the best Japanese and Scandinavian ideas. “This approach emphasizes a strong connection to nature through thoughtful spatial planning and the use of natural, high -quality materials,” says Lucy.
“The interiors reflect a calm, minimalist ethos in which functionality for beauty and simplicity is celebrated.”
The owners wanted both practical and timeless feeling. The house had to meet the rhythms of family life with rooms for entertainment as well as a flexible work zone from home and a flexible work area for teenagers. Two different areas of life offer spatial interest that bays from a glassy glazing from floor to the ceiling, which enables nature as green works of art.
Privacy was considered at every level, whereby user -defined perforated screens on the expansion made it possible to filter through light and at the same time maintain a feeling of seclusion. Both natural and artificial lighting were layered to improve the viability and ambience of the house at any time of the day.
The palette included the contrast-dark wood, black surfaces and leather granite offer a counterpoint for soft textures and a feeling of airiness. “The language is clean and earthy according to the principles of simplicity, the thoughtful craftsmanship and the natural surfaces,” says Lucy.
Tactile surfaces such as stone, wood and terrazzo are supplemented by suede-like upholstery, slubby linen curtains and plush carpets.
The house with four bedrooms radiates a calm, relaxed mood, and Lucy says that the design “compensates for softness with strength. It is minimalistically and yet warm, architectural and yet inviting”.
With the customers who were involved in the planning of memory and ergonomic characteristics, the process was smooth and uncomplicated. “We love the openness and the way natural light fills the room,” they say. “The connection to the garden brings a quiet, grounded feeling into the house.”
Lucy adds: “There is a quiet elegance of the design that is rooted in craftsmanship, organic textures and an appreciation for the imperfect. It leads to a quiet space that seamlessly bridges inside and outside.”
The design team
Lucy Marczyk: lucymarczyk.comThree C architects: Threecarchitects.com
Lisa Ellis Gardens: lisaellisgardens.com.au
Cathedral houses: Cathedralhomes.com.au
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