Sometimes when starting a building project, a lot of obstacles and small impediments can stand on your way. Still, in the case of reimagining this beautiful wood and metal bungalow, the owners and architects from Wolveridge Architects successfully overcame all of them to the point of the stylish and noteworthy final result. The architects bravely and artistically explored the merging of contemporary form with traditional materials.
The home is located in the Melbourne suburb of Ascot Vale, and the site falls under the interwar housing heritage rules, so when designing the concept, the architect was meth with the challenge of fulfilling the heritage conditions without compromising with the flexible and contemporary nuances of the feature home. So, taking inspiration from the materiality and form of the home’s heritage context, of the Art Deco period influence and the general appreciation of craftsmanship as a principle of the time, the designers composed a striking, asymmetrical composition of timber and metal.
The eclectic nature of the new home can be found not only in the stylish combination of historical and contemporary trades but also in its functional distribution of space. Accommodating the owner’s work life and hobbies (builder and motorbike aficionado), the home design offers personality and stylish eclectic character – a beauty of unexpected angles, expressions, and inviting premises. The gable of the architectural facade goes throughout the design composition, creating a dynamic configuration of space.
The beautiful and inviting warmth of the interiors ambiance is created by the entwinement of abundant natural light, dark absorbing surfaces, and honey shine of timber constructs. This combination gives a homey yet elegant feel to the design composition. Adding the flexible, modernistic shapes and honest materials selection, the home becomes a floating beauty of contemporary vision.
Trendy design elements compose the interior decor, still with an eye towards the organic materials palette from the past. Some gorgeous and picturesque design compositions need to be specially noted; the freestanding partial wall with zinc tubs in the open flow between master bedroom and bathroom. The sculptural composition is clad in the mini-tile selection and framed in black metal – a very trendy and stylish touch. And speaking of tiles, our absolute favorite is the kitchen’s decor with the amazing irregular tile cladding of the kitchen island’s base. A red terracotta touch on a base of modernistic concrete and black metal backdrop. Very minimal yet stylish and vital. Or the inviting blue of the swimming pool, sitting on the edge of the terrace, creating a light transition between the beautiful courtyard and main social premises.
Throughout the interior of this amazing modern home, an alternation of materials and structures – metal meshes, black accents, concrete – both polished and row; of course the warming touch of the wooden details creates a dynamic and well-balanced ambiance. The modernistic irregular shapes and asymmetrical configurations, the expressive color and materials palette, based on three main tonalities – wood, gray, and black. The artistic selection of furniture, finishes, lamps, and structures makes this home design project an iconic example of modern Australian design. Photos by Derek Swalwell;
