Enriching and Layered – Brunswick Street by Folk Architects

Continuing its storied past, Brunswick Street adds yet another layer to the heritage townhouse home, focusing on adaptability and efficiency. Folk Architects embeds a contemporary character through warmth and flexibility, ensuring the resulting home feels connected and openly engaged.

As part of a dual residence development, Brunswick Street forms one part of the process where two adjoining townhouses are reimagined. Located in North Fitzroy – and reflective of the Victorian era – when proposing the new chapter, a consideration of the past was crucial. A joined and communal backyard and deck link the townhouses and allow a sharing of the outdoor areas, seeing the inside remain independent and private. Though there is a focus on increased access to light and a warm and natural materiality, Folk Architects ensures the original proportions and linear language continue as a key principle.

There is a calmness to the palette and the muted neutral tones used throughout, intentionally creating a place of respite and recharge for its residents.

Binding the two properties is landscape design by Bush Projects, seeing the two homes feel connected through common and shared areas. Brunswick Street balances ideas of restoration and rejuvenation whilst retaining the essence of the original architecture. Although quaint in size, the townhouse sees two bedrooms sit on the upper level, while the lower level houses the living, dining and kitchen areas. Due to the existing exterior volumes, the reworking of the interiors and maintaining an openness and ease of flow was crucial to both the movement and sense of connectedness. Sitting behind former shopfront façades, the homes draw from the rich character and history of the building and surrounding area – the new gestures feel both deliberate and as if they were a natural evolution from the original.

A mostly natural palette is used throughout, with a focus on elements that add warmth and elevate the sense of openness as much as possible. Emphasising the efficiency of the resulting floor plan, an incorporated adaptability allows elements to be moved and reconfigured as needed to suit changing conditions. The restraint used throughout ensures a reduction in clutter, allowing visibility internally and beyond to remain uninterrupted. There is a calmness to the palette and the muted neutral tones used throughout, intentionally creating a place of respite and recharge for its residents. Drawing on the original use of timber, a new interpretation of the material is seen amongst the new, continuing that lineage.

Sitting behind former shopfront façades, the homes draw from the rich character and history of the building and surrounding area – the new gestures feel both deliberate and as if they were a natural evolution from the original.

Through celebrating its rich past and the shared history of the homes, Brunswick Street enters its next chapter with generous warmth. Folk Architects breathes new life into the building whilst thoughtfully referencing its original design.