Architectural Opportunity – Camberwell by InForm
As a sheltered sanctuary, Camberwell transports a young family away from the bustle of the nearby streets. Designed and built by InForm, the single-storey home offers residents a unique interior experience, revolving around light, space and a love of minimalism.
Centrally located within its namesake suburb, Camberwell sits in close proximity to the street. For InForm, the residential site made the project ripe with architectural opportunity, seeing a sense of intimacy tactfully fostered within the home through subtle and textural means, providing an innovative solution to the issue of privacy. Proceeding from other InForm projects in the area, the finished home mirrors the success of the practice’s completed works.
“We had seen InForm houses being built from time to time while walking our dog through the streets of Camberwell and Hawthorn East,” explains the client. “We fell in love with all of those builds and followed their progress.” Having appreciated the work of the design practice from afar, the clients were certain of their desire to collaborate with the company. “Once we met with Chris McKimm and took a tour through the North Balwyn house, we were sold, and the choice was easy.”
Whilst the design brief for Camberwell drove the project in a clearly defined direction, it also allowed space for a creative and architectural response. “Our design brief included lots of natural light, open-plan living and outdoor entertaining,” explains the client. “We specifically wanted a single-story home with the living [and] entertainment areas separate to the bedrooms, which is perfect for our young family but also very practical in terms of layout and design, especially now as we are able to work from home.” By emphasising the distinction between public and private spheres, a balance between work and life is purposefully influenced by the built environment. A considered arrangement of rooms sees a central hallway separate the living spaces and bedrooms whilst elegantly curved walls direct residents towards a north-facing hybrid space, encapsulating the kitchen, dining and living areas.
Camberwell is defined by a playful interpretation of minimalism – a well-established facet of midcentury modern interiors – with unornamented breeze blocks, timber, brass, white-painted lining boards and curved elements.
Managing the relationship between the home and its site, InForm uses architecture to gatekeep the indoor-outdoor experience. A long, single-level garden wall stretches horizontally between the property and the street to provide acoustic insulation and a quiet interior working environment. Breeze block screens inserted into the foundations of the home express the carefully calibrated relationship between the property and the external environment. Whilst the screens offer small glimpses to the landscape beyond, they also filter the natural light streaming into the living room and offer a calming, dappled effect. When asked about their favourite aspect of the home, the client answered, “The lounge by the window with the breeze blocks. I love to read my book while the afternoon sun filters through.” At night, the warm light of the interior illuminates the screens, enhancing the enticing and decorative nature of the façade.
Camberwell is defined by a playful interpretation of minimalism – a well-established facet of midcentury modern interiors – with unornamented breeze blocks, timber, brass, white-painted lining boards and curved elements. A technique of ‘bagging’ is applied to the brickwork, where a smoothing mixture protects the solid material without compromising its raw and irregular texture. The resulting surfaces are both refined and earthy in character. Discussing the interior design process, the client explained the productive and collaborative relationship developed between themselves and the InForm team. “It was such a delight to work with Elly, the interior architect, who was amazing. She understood that we wanted the interiors to be light, bright and minimalistic. Her eye for detail and design is incredible and I loved everything she chose for us.”
An accomplished piece of architecture and interior design, Camberwell proposes a 21st century living and working environment, adapted to the requirements of a young family. “The process with InForm was enjoyable, seamless and efficient,” reflects the client. “We would not hesitate to build with InForm again – we would do so in a heartbeat.”
