Fitzroy Warehouse
Just off Nicholson Street in Melbourne’s North Fitzroy, ODD Architects has reimagined a former shoe factory as a contemporary urban home, balancing industrial heritage with art-led interiors and entertainer-friendly spaces.
From the outset, art has shaped Fitzroy Warehouse. ODD Architects began as ODD Studio – a creative side project by Adam Dwyer and Lauren O’Donnell – where Dwyer produced finely detailed bird’s-eye drawings of Melbourne suburbs. The practice evolved organically into a full architectural studio, with this project marking their first completed commission.
Art guides the spatial narrative. The entry is conceived as a gallery for part of the owners’ extensive collection, while in the primary bedroom, Dwyer’s meticulously rendered black-and-white drawing of Fitzroy takes pride of place against an exposed brick wall – a purchase that marked the beginning of the client–architect relationship.
The home unfolds across three spacious levels. The ground floor accommodates a gallery-style entrance, study, shower room, snug, bar and a wood-burning fireplace, as well as a guest bedroom complete with an en-suite and walk-in robe. An open riser staircase leads to the first floor and the heart of the home, where living, dining and kitchen zones are arranged in an open plan suited to entertaining or relaxed everyday living.
The kitchen was conceived as a freestanding ‘object’ within the space, anchored by a green stone island and matching splashback, chosen specifically to pair with a Ross Gardam dining table the client already owned. Named Golden Lightning for its vivid gold veining, the Verde granite makes a striking centrepiece.
Cool-toned, dark burnished oak complements the stone, with the grain of the wood deliberately oriented to draw the eye upward to the skylight above. To maintain a sleek aesthetic without losing utility, all appliances are tucked away and concealed behind the joinery, including a wine fridge and coffee machine. Around the corner and running parallel to the kitchen, a long butler’s pantry provides space for discreet prep and clean-up, allowing the main entertaining area to remain uncluttered.
Dwyer and O’Donnell have carefully maintained the warehouse’s industrial character, stripping it back to hero the dark, imperfect timber trusses. By positioning the kitchen within the volume rather than against the perimeter, the architects preserve the warehouse’s scale, lending the interior a greater sense of breadth. Finished in a cool blond tone, the 90-centimetre-wide floorboards reference the slender proportions of heritage flooring while offering a gentle contrast to the home’s darker elements. Pocket doors open onto a small cobblestoned terrace, extending the entertaining spaces outdoors.
On the uppermost level, the main bedroom is a counterpoint – restful and retreat-like against the hustle and bustle below. Across all three levels, a pared-back yet bold palette paired with meticulous detailing allows light, texture and proportion to both update the space and honour the building’s origins.
ODD Architects demonstrates a deeply thoughtful approach to renovation. By allowing the warehouse’s original structure to remain dominant while inserting new elements with restraint and precision, Fitzroy Warehouse retains a palpable sense of history. The result is a home that balances generosity with control – an example of how industrial heritage can be recalibrated for contemporary living.
Architecture and design ODD Architects
Build MCON Building Group
Flooring Made by Storey
Tapware Phoenix Tapware
Stone Franchi Umberto Marmi
Timber veneer Elton Group
Paint Dulux
Artwork Miranda Burgess, Claire Ellis, Em Frank, Jill Symes and Belinda Wiltshire
