Openly Anchored – Gallery House by Architecture Works and Selzer Design

Blurring traditional boundaries between inside and out, Gallery House becomes the ideal conduit for celebrating an important art collection. Together with Selzer Design, Architecture Works carefully crafts a home of lasting relevance, drawing on a linear and anchored approach, heightened through custom detailing.

As a welcomed insertion, Gallery House sits cleanly presented in its Caulfield North milieu across a double-sized block, increasing its presence and sense of scale. Designed by Architecture Works, with interior design in collaboration with Selzer Design, the resulting home feels deliberately open yet connected, both internally and to the immediate surrounds and curated landscape setting. A modern and cleanly conceived approach underpins each of the spaces and binds them through a shared linear language; ornament has been replaced by heightened and refined detailing, with an emphasis on crafted elements. As a single-story home, there is a horizontal weighted-ness that connects the form to the side, spread evenly across its generous streetscape frontage.

Through a balanced approach, open and more solid elements combine across the site to create moments of privacy and retreat, while simultaneously reinforcing a sense of calm.

Through a balanced approach, open and more solid elements combine across the site to create moments of privacy and retreat, while simultaneously reinforcing a sense of calm. Built by Omnicon Constructions, together with landscape by Sinatra Murphy, a balance between inside and out unfolds; the two feeling as extensions of one another was an important part of the brief. Incorporating various areas for families to gather was also integral, while a ‘gallery-esque’ feel was embedded throughout, allowing artwork to be displayed as an active participant of the everyday. A dedicated gallery space runs through the main entry, where a large volume optimises natural and architectural lighting to create the ideal display environments.

The use of a mostly monochromatic palette ensures the home will continue in relevance well into its future, while also forming an ideal base for the personality of its owners to be both celebrated and showcased. The further layering of warming timber elements throughout also adds depth. Custom joinery and furniture sit as part of the architecture of the home, while also concealing the functional elements. A combination of natural stone, timber and plaster creates a sense of cohesion, while soft drapery dampens the glazing’s otherwise crisp edges. Furniture then continues the story of the gallery, sitting as sculptural elements in space.

Incorporating various areas for families to gather was also integral, while a ‘gallery-esque’ feel was embedded throughout, allowing artwork to be displayed as an active participant of the everyday.

Gallery House capitalises on its low-lying plan and form by creating key openings on the one level. Architecture Works and Selzer Design propose a home as the ideal facilitator of expression, embedded with the ability to change overtime.