Elemental Presence – Mansard by Carr

As an anchor to a busy site, Mansard uses references to the origins of its namesake to play with the outer form of the shared residences and craft a bold presence and sense of identity in the process. The architecture expresses a contemporary take on the classical, forming a rhythm within the façade with deep reveals that clearly define public and private space.

There’s a trade-off between being close to amenity and the desire for a sense of retreat from the hustle and bustle. In managing the placement of the medium-density homes that’s it close to a high-traffic junction, Mansard’s architecture responds in a shielding and protective way for its residents. The proposition ensures a setback from the street to keep it separate, and through experimentation with materiality, the outer form presents as being solid – resembling a brutalist aesthetic – while the finishes have a neutral luxury that ensures an enduring legacy.

The proposition ensures a setback from the street to keep it separate, and through experimentation with materiality, the outer form presents as being solid – resembling a brutalist aesthetic.

Coming together as 16 residences across a shared generous site, the articulation of the outer edges allows a differing experience foreach home, ensuring interaction beyond their interiors. In dealing with the traffic noise concern, the overall silhouette is inspired by the original French mansard-style roof forms, with roof planes divided into two differently sloping sections, the lower of which is generally steep-er and traditionally includes dormer windows, while the upper section – directed towards the ridgeline – is flatter.

This approach allows the sloping roof to commence at a lower level than normal, and become occupiable, yet it still structurally supports the floors below. Balancing the outdoor and indoor areas, the landscape plays a key role in softening the monolithic forms, encouraging interaction with the neighbouring homes. The muted nature of the finishes is then brought into the interior of each of the homes, with a similar classical, linear finesse in detailing. As a landmark development in the area, ensuring that the form and finish would age well was crucial. Long-wearing, high-quality stone is used both inside and out, reinforcing the solid nature of all the component parts.

Balancing the outdoor and indoor areas, the landscape plays a key role in softening the monolithic forms, encouraging interaction with the neighbouring homes.

Bringing a piece of Paris to Melbourne’s inner south, Mansard aims for a similar longevity. Through a craft-led approach, Carr has instilled a sense of permanence into this series of calm and restorative homes.