Curvy House

by Ben Callery Architects

A modern extension to an already existing Victorian terrace house in Northcote Victoria.

The Curvy House project, is an example of how the power of one architectural gesture can have a huge impact on an already existing property.

Designers Ben Callery Architects created a unique addition to an already existing dark, cold and mouldy Victorian terrace – which has now been revitalised for a family of three.

This was a difficult task in the beginning, as the house was heritage listed, and owners wished to create a more engaging home, with the surrounding environment, which provided a passive comfort in the form of space and light – one which would lift their spirits from the current living arrangements, in a very dark and unwelcoming space.

The block was a narrow 6.5m wide and only 307m², with neighbouring walls on both side boundaries that overshadowed the site and stifled ventilation. The site sloped steeply from front to back, making the rear of the house more than a metre above natural ground.

However, the biggest constraint was the orientation (north to the front) which made it difficult to get sunlight into the living rooms at the rear of the house. This was only exacerbated by the heritage requirements, narrowness, neighbouring walls and the sloping site.

The owners budget allowed for one key architectural gesture: to pop up the roof and then curve it up towards the north. The large highlight window catches warming winter sun and the perimeter of clerestory windows provides ambient light at all times of the day.

Electric highlight windows facilitate cross ventilation through the entire living space. And, the convex curve of the roof bounces direct sun light down into the living space while creating an illusion of space. The ramping form directs the eye up and outwards vertically creating a sense of space far greater than the modest 80m’² footprint.

Meanwhile the long tail of the roof cantilevers over the back deck, drawing the living space out, bringing the outside in, and creating a feeling of length on the small site.

Detailing was carefully considered to accentuate the curve and create a feeling of floating. Whilst the slender structural frame and black steel windows detach the white ceiling from the house creating a sense of weightlessness.

The curvy details of the roof, continue throughout each space of the house, with clever interior design. This is seen in the benchtop, floating shelves and splashback tiles. And, the sunken deck flows down from the living room, connecting the occupants with the natural environment and making use of the slope of the block as the floor level becomes an occupiable seat.

Heritage aspects of the Victorian terrace have been retained and celebrated throughout, with the original pitched tiled roof being framed by the highlight window, creating a striking reminder of the heritage context to the house.

The original hard plaster in the old lounge; which is now a bathroom, was peeled away to reveal a stunning original brickwork wall, where a curved brick lintel was a wonderful serendipitous find that becomes a feature of the new bathroom.

Photography by Tatjana Plitt.

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