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Lighthearted and Pragmatic – The Lothian by Kennedy Nolan
We all seek something different in a home. For some, it’s privacy and refuge; others crave connection and liveliness at all times of the day. Kennedy Nolan has acknowledged this with The Lothian in North Melbourne – a speculative residential development comprising an unusual housing mix of townhouses and apartments, each with differing experiential qualities.
Driven by the intention to “make generous habitations”, Kennedy Nolan has uniquely responded to each pocket of this island site, allowing the varying orientations and principles to define the architectural response. South-facing townhouses reflect artists’ studios, allowing abundant natural light into spaces otherwise destined for shadow, while a north-facing apartment suspended a few floors up features a quirky oriel window, inspiring curiosity from the street and simultaneously offering additional privacy to its occupants. What’s more, street interfaces have been carefully considered; entries to the four central townhouses are raised half a level from the footpath, creating visual and physical separation, while another dwelling – perhaps designed for a more extroverted occupant – sits in close proximity to the street, encouraging interaction with passers-by.
South-facing townhouses reflect artists’ studios, allowing abundant natural light into spaces otherwise destined for shadow, while a north-facing apartment suspended a few floors up features a quirky oriel window, inspiring curiosity from the street and simultaneously offering additional privacy to its occupants.
The materiality and form are obvious nods to the immediate context of North Melbourne, its 19th and early-20th century industrial buildings evident in the design. Red bricks are the dominant material of the simple volume and, inside, a streamlined palette of materials is crisp and utilitarian but not cold.
Proud, robust and imbued with logic, this energy-efficient building is both lighthearted and pragmatic, with each dwelling enjoying contrasting yet equally appealing ideals.
