Vibrant and Eclectic – Fitzroy Residence by Flack Studio

Taking cues from the surrounding cultural vibrancy of its locality, Fitzroy Residence is as much an immersive expression of its context as it is a restorative addition to its neighbourhood. Flack Studio re-instates open and connected sightlines through a revised planning approach and injects personality to create a home of curated character.

Sitting behind its raredouble fronted façade, Fitzroy Residence sees the restoration of its original Victorian era detailing through a deliberate and measured contemporary lens. A home for two, the reinvigoration is inspired by a want to reconnect and lineate the internal experience of living within the home and creating a meaningful connection to its north-facing garden space. Through the levelling of a previously tiered and stepped floor plate, the formality of the original is reinstated and an expanded and connected home emerges. Flack Studio creates opportunities for expression through colour, texture and contrast and proposes a home that speaks to the vibrant and eclectic character of the area, as well as to the personalities of its owners.

Sitting behind its rare double fronted façade, Fitzroy Residence sees the restoration of its original Victorian era detailing through a deliberate and measured contemporary lens.

As an idealised place to retire, Fitzroy Residence reduces the previous four-bedroom with limited gathering space home to a curated two-bedroom residence with a large and connected living, dining and kitchen space. Akin to the familiar approach, the original façade and front rooms are brought back to their former glory and a large a-frame rear volume extends the silhouette of the original home, while creating an encouraging transitional space between inside and out. The previous 1950s renovation had stripped the Victorian detail and it was important to bring these true elements back. Doused in a deep red ochre finish, the front façade not only creates an identifiable face to the residence but also takes on the accompanying boldness of its neighbourhood and the richly woven fabric that binds it together.

A combination of robust materials is utilised to frame out the foundational elements of the home, where steel, brass and concrete are expressed and highlighted for their nuances. Adding depth, textural components are layered in by adding a plush quality to each of the spaces, endowing each with their own uniqueness and personality. The home is intended as a journey of discovery, amongst its bold and curious moments and the collected and curated parts that comprise it. Contrast is celebrated throughout, with the old and detailed elements of the home offering a sense of balance to the pared back detailing and contemporary approach of the new.

A home for two, the reinvigoration is inspired by a want to reconnect and lineate the internal experience of living within the home and creating a meaningful connection to its north-facing garden space.

Fitzroy Residence is its own inquisitive oasis in the heart of inner Fitzroy, combining and preserving both the area’s important past with a projected and intentional future. Flack Studio has combined the unexpected with the delightful to create a home of unique reverence.

Through the levelling of a previously tiered and stepped floor plate, the formality of the original is reinstated and an expanded and connected home emerges.