A Modernist Home in Richmond – Mary Street Residence by Three C Architects

Street Residence by Three C Architects, in the Melbourne suburb of Richmond, pays homage to modernism and minimalism Mary through the simple formal response of a framed box structure.

The site, formerly occupied by an old cottage, had been empty for over ten years due to planning restrictions. While the square roof of the new intervention contrasts with the rest of the workers cottages on the street, the house is carefully positioned so that the height of the building is in line with the rest of the houses. The siting and overall form of the home are also strategically designed so as not to impact the neighbouring homes.

The siting and overall form of the home are also strategically designed so as not to impact the neighbouring homes.

The front façade is softened by Cypress battens that also provide privacy. These battens then wrap around to protect the upper volume at the rear. Here, the building opens out to the courtyard, extending across the full width of the site. The upper volume overhangs to provide passive cooling from the high summer sun, while still allowing for warmth from the low winter sun to heat the indoor/outdoor space.

Moving inside, the entrance of the building allows for exciting people watching in the inner-city neighbourhood. The upper level gains sweeping views across the Richmond rooftop, with glazing framed by Nordic redwood. From within, the battens create a soft filtered light. All the interior spaces connect to the external environment through the glass ceiling over the staircase.

The skylight fills the home with ever-changing light that shifts according to the elements, while the sculptural staircase casts intricate shadows that dress the clean, concrete walls. The steel balustrades run from ceiling to floor, offering a sculptural intervention, which is continued through the curve of the stairs. The weightless-ness of the stairs helps to minimally direct the light, without grounding the house.

Timber is a continuous feature running throughout the design both inside and out. Inside, a palette of timber, concrete and marble is a unifying thread. In the kitchen, Calacatta marble used on the island bench is found again in the splashback, framed by timber joinery. In the bathroom, marble covers the floor, and the bluestone wall tile mirrors the dark joinery in the kitchen.

After ten years of waiting, the Mary Street Residence is a fitting new occupant for the site. While the design marks a radical departure from the previous humble cottage, elements within the design respond still to the workers cottages that remain on the street, forming a reminder of what came before.

The site, formerly occupied by an old cottage, had been empty for over ten years due to planning restrictions.