Northcote House No.4
Crafted from a Victorian cottage, Northcote House No.4 embraces natural light through a thoughtful rear extension. Reorienting the home, Pipkorn Kilpatrick delivers a tranquil residence that flows towards the outdoors.
To the street, Northcote House No.4 presents a quaint double-front facade, narrower than the average cottage. Beyond this, the existing building had little to commend it; its original timber windows had been replaced with draughty metal frames and in the front rooms, its pitched ceilings had been covered. In addition, the house dominated the middle of its plot, wasting three metres of adjacent space. Though the site features a northern block, it was occupied by a large garage. As a result, the renovation focused on replacing the garage with a smaller brick shed and extending the home along its southern boundary, with openings created to the north. The roof structure over the front four rooms is retained, while hardwood timber battens were added to emphasise the pitches. Aligned with a neutral colour palette, fretwork, double-glazing and new timber window frames evoke the image of a serene modern cottage.
Reflecting its modernist inspiration, the brick extension is crafted along a sweeping curve – the final form is shaped like a boot. Inside, exposed beams running up the ‘leg’ unite the kitchen, living area and primary bedroom. In the tip of the boot, the dining area is delineated by a lowered ceiling where the beams meet with a plasterboard edge. Conversely, the kitchen is located in the heel, grounded by a central island – clad in blackbutt timber – and Ceppo di Gré marble benchtops. The space shares an alcove with the laundry room and main bathroom, with the latter also celebrating marble. Solid blackbutt suspended shelving subtly zones the kitchen from the main living space.
A large built-in sofa enhances the width of the living area, echoing the length of the joinery behind. Directly opposite, additional seating is provided in the form of a brick hearth. The surrounding double-brick walls are punctuated by a frameless highlight window towards which the beams are laid. These support the eaves, which shield the interior from harsh sunlight while allowing views to the treetops and train lines. To lighten the space, the beams are painted in the same off-white colour as the walls. Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors complete the scheme, enabling a seamless transition to the backyard.
Curled around a previously underused block, Northcote House No.4 highlights its northern aspect. Having maintained the gentle character of the facade, Pipkorn Kilpatrick ensures that the body of the home reflects the same attention to visual harmony and effortless living.
Architectural concept, interior design and landscape design by Pipkorn Kilpatrick.
Architectural drafting by Merran Thomas. Build by CJV Building & Renovations.
Hardscaping by Semken Landscaping. Joinery by InForm. Lighting by HAY, Lumina, Isamu Noguchi, Studio Enti and We Ponder. Tapware by Brodware. Artwork by David Band, Katarra Butler Napaltjarri, Lisa Golightly, Mel Lumb, Michele Morcos, Yinarupa Nangala, Emily Persson and Diya Sanat.
