A Calming Simplicity – South Yarra II by Pop Architecture

As an evolution of an original brick terrace house, South Yarra II accentuates the existing elements with a light contemporary addition that accommodates flexible living. Pop Architecture’s design enables a balanced continuity between past and present where the alterations and addition reflect a considered calm.

Located in in a heritage-rich area of Melbourne’s inner south-east, South Yarra II brings new life to the single-storey Victorian terrace. The brief required a contemporary addition that allowed flexibility for the client without adding unnecessary area to the home. The suburb of South Yarra, known for its brick materiality, inspired the architects to protect the existing foundations of the house and apply a logical rear extension that continued the original materiality through. Crucial to the plan configuration was an understanding of the impacts of the neighbouring dwellings and the temperamental Melbourne climate. These constraints allowed the new addition to welcome natural light in through a northern orientation and create privacy from the dwellings on the neighbouring site.

The brief required a contemporary addition that allowed flexibility for the client without adding unnecessary area to the home.

Built by PM & R Constructions, the new structure and design takes cues from the existing aesthetic and detailing to create a sense of harmony between the past and present. Careful consideration was given to retain the existing walls and windows, where possible, and decipher where the new openings would be located within the original house. The new insertions are both sensitive to the continuity of the existing, whilst allowing the home to be suited for flexible living and portray a contemporary relevance.

Like many terrace homes within the area, the original layout did not allow ample natural light to reach the interiors, which encouraged glazing to the north and allowed the new living, dining and kitchen spaces to transition out towards the garden. Focus on proportion and scale are used as guidelines to create a light openness for the interiors, whilst adjusting the home to become more adaptable to the client’s needs. The new addition showcases efficient design that portrays spaciousness within the confines of a limited area. Examples of this are seen through the euro laundry added in the hallway and the living and spare bedroom spaces, which flow out onto the external deck.

 The interiors are the result of a restrained materiality, drawing attention to the subtle details and contrasting textures.

The interiors are the result of a restrained materiality, drawing attention to refined details and contrasting textures. Each space builds up subtle cues, which are continually dotted throughout the house using V-groove joinery, reeded glass and painted brick. The brief and budget required feature materials to be used sparingly, and this becomes apparent with the super dolomite stone used on the kitchen bench and the timber joinery used in the living room.

Styled by Jess Kneebone, the calm interiors enabled layers to be added with carefully selected furniture pieces, objects and artworks that reflect character and hierarchy in the spaces.  There is a balance between material subtleties and feature elements that bind the spaces together, resulting in a unified and timeless home with a sense of light openness.