Grafton Street House by Sketch
Set quietly back from the street in an inner-urban pocket, Grafton Street House by Sketch is a study in restraint and clarity.
The home belies a rich interplay of materiality, unfolding inward to reveal a series of calm, sunlit spaces connecting seamlessly with the garden beyond. The brief called for a private sanctuary with a strong connection to the outdoors, a challenge on an inner-urban site where privacy is often at odds with openness, yet the design never feels closed off. Instead, the response is deft; the house maintains a modest frontage to the street, while internally, spaces open generously to the garden, with large windows and sliding doors drawing in daylight and framing views of greenery. The sense of calm is immediate. Spaces flow easily from one to the next, the plan prioritising movement and a gentle rhythm of light and shadow throughout the day.
Grafton Street House is defined by a disciplined palette that privileges longevity and tactility. Brick, timber, concrete and stone are employed with care, each selected for their ability to age gracefully and foster a sense of permanence. Here, concrete is more than just structure; it is used as a sculptural device, connecting spaces and weaving a continuous thread across elevations. Nowhere is this more evident than in the planter that wraps the house, extending over the pool in a bold sweep. This intervention anchors the home, mediating between the built form and landscape.
Externally, the house maintains a modest profile, its material continuity stitching new forms into the existing streetscape. There is a quiet confidence in the way the old and new are brought together, nothing shouts for attention, but everything feels resolved. The brickwork, with its subtle variation in tone and format, sits comfortably alongside the warmth of timber and the solidity of stone. Each material is left honest and tactile, inviting touch and reflecting the changing light.
Inside, the architecture reveals itself gradually, echoing the sense of ease. Finishes are robust yet inviting, with timber joinery and stone surfaces lending a softness to the concrete and brick. The palette focuses on quality and texture, allowing the play of light and presence of the garden to take centrestage. The result is a home that feels effortless to inhabit, spaces are neither overworked nor precious but offer a backdrop for daily life that is both practical and uplifting.
Grafton Street House is a quiet achiever. Rather than seeking to impress, it offers a refined and enduring response to its context. Through careful planning and a thoughtful approach to materiality, Sketch has created a sanctuary that responds to its urban context with subtlety and assurance.
Building and interior design by Sketch. Build by Elwood Building. Landscape design by Plume Studio. Timber by Made by Storey and Australia Timber Ceilings. Stone and tiles by Artedomus, Eco Outdoor and Signorino. Paint by Dulux. Appliances by ASKO Australia, Fisher & Paykel and Miele. Tapware by Abey.
