Softened Transition – Somerville by Coy Yiontis Architects

Somerville sees Coy Yiontis Architects blend the warmth and solidity of the original Federation-era home with a more contemporary and open approach to residential living. The architect carefully crafts an addition that encourages connections between the built and the natural.

Settled on a corner allotment in Middle Park, Somerville is located within walking distance to the nearby beach. The observable nature of an additional form impacts on the streetscape, which sees this insertion not only contribute to the quality of the experience of the home from within, but also to the surrounding context. Aligned with neighbouring homes, the Federation-era frontage needed to be retained to maintain the rhythm of the street. Electing to tuck the double-level form into the rear of the site behind the silhouette the home, Coy Yiontis Architects ensures the original form holds external dominance.

Electing to tuck the double-level form into the rear of the site behind the silhouette the home, Coy Yiontis Architects ensures the original form holds external dominance.

Marking the move from a much larger house, the residence brings a new level of low maintenance and openness for the owners. Wanting to bring a more deliberate natural connection into the home, the architects orchestrated openings to soften the transitions across the site. Conscious of waste, as well as respecting the existing narrative of the home, Coy Yiontis Architects recognised the important of blending the heritage and contemporary elements across the site.

Sitting between the old and new volumes is a newly defined open courtyard space encased in curved glass. A similar profile is then echoed in the exterior red brick wall that hugs the residence. The hit-and-miss brick arrangement allows a filtering of light and movement between the public and private spaces yet acts as a veil to enclose the courtyard. Bringing both winter sun and advantage solar gains in the summer months, the courtyard plays a vital role in activating the core of the home and reducing the need for outside energy sources.

The hit-and-miss brick arrangement allows a filtering of light and movement between the public and private spaces yet acts as a veil to enclose the courtyard.

Coy Yiontis Architects combines the new and existing forms to activate the site’s potential. Whilst connecting the addition through a similar material palette to the original home, the architects endow Somerville with a heightened presence.