Classic Yet Contemporary – Armadale House by Luke Fry Architecture & Interior Design

Combining a restrained, deliberate approach to materiality and space with a crisp, refined sensibility, Luke Fry Architecture & Interior Design’s Armadale House sees the retention of the existing heart of the heritage home combined with a new rear extension that speaks to a modern contemporary style.

Neatly tucked into the streetscape created by the similar façades of its neighbours, behind the scenes, Armadale House has undergone significant alterations. Upon commencement of the design process, the heritage home was relieved of its previous ill-fitting extension and a new vision proposed. Armadale House captures and celebrates its existing architecture, while very much instating a sense of relevance in the present through a modern interpretation of the family home. In describing the scope, Luke Fry, founding director of Luke Fry Architecture & Interior Design says, “the house in the heart of Armadale was in original condition when we got our hands on it and we knocked off the rear half and kept the core front rooms and beautiful heritage Edwardian façade.”

Neatly tucked into the streetscape created by the similar façades of its neighbours, behind the scenes, Armadale House has undergone significant alterations.

Inspired by the clients and their individual story, Luke says, “our clients are young and design-focused, and they were open to a lot of our creative ideas, but at the same time they wanted something contemporary classic.” It was this fusing of styles and eras that resulting in the materiality and palette being born from a place of restriction and discipline. Luke says, “we like to keep our materials palette really edited, using honest and proven materials. Raw concrete rendered walls, timber and zinc formed the exterior with some refined Japanese tile details within the steel reveal windows.” He continues, “this influenced the softer, more refined interiors, where the curved staircase and circular skylight over is a huge statement of the home – it’s my favourite part of the house.”

“The house in the heart of Armadale was in original condition when we got our hands on it and we knocked off the rear half and kept the core front rooms and beautiful heritage Edwardian façade.”

Styled by Bek Sheppard and built by Cod Build, Armadale House sees masonry introduced as the mass building and structural components of the new architecture, referencing the bold anchoring of the original elements. In its own deliberate and purposed way, the response to detailing and decoration took an opposite route to the decorative predecessor, making way for a clear vision of clean lines, refined metal detailing and sweeping uninterrupted curves. The bathroom sees unframed fluted glass combine with a light and cool natural stone with grey accents. The dark tapware reinforces a contemporary reverence, one that is echoed throughout the home. The kitchen as its own hero space welcomes the guest into an open living, dining and preparation area, creating its own communal hub and connecting to the entertaining areas and the rear yard.

“We like to keep our materials palette really edited, using honest and proven materials. Raw concrete rendered walls, timber and zinc formed the exterior with some refined Japanese tile details within the steel reveal windows.”

In the planning reconfiguration efforts, Luke says, “The contemporary-two storey building at the rear hugs the southern boundary and opens up the pool and backyard to the northern sun, very little is visible from the street.” He adds, “We had brilliant clients and quality tradespeople, which made it an effortless process.” Also contributing to the ease of the project’s execution is the orientation and enviable location on the site. Luke explains, “The site is orientated almost perfectly east-west so we opened up as much as we could to the north, where the pool and outdoor living spaces became bathed in natural light, which also filled the living spaces.”

Armadale House at its core is about connection and embodies a sense of the presence in its approach to the contemporary additions. As Luke says, “the connection between old and new is always important, where a balance exists creating a clear distinction, but also tying the whole project together.” Luke Fry Architecture & Interior Design brings a fresh enthusiasm and a contemporary, clean approach to the project, with exciting results.