Architectural Process – Ripponlea House by Luke Fry Architecture and Interior Design

Ripponlea House forms a compelling response to the inherent spatial challenges of the original Edwardian-era home. Responding on-site to emerging aesthetic opportunities that presented as design challenges, Luke Fry Architecture and Interior Design has written a compelling new chapter for the home.

Located in the Melbourne suburb of Ripponlea, the house of the same name is a modest Edwardian residence, sitting on a narrow site. The structure of the building stretches directly from one site boundary to the other, presenting constraints that would drive the design from the outset. The house would require access to natural light by innovative means and the interior design would need to accommodate the limited entry space.

Comprised of brick, concrete and timber, the material palette is used consistently throughout the home to establish a sense of continuity and calm, reinforced by the refined forms of joinery and other interior detailing.

Luke Fry Architecture and Interior Design provides a compelling answer to these difficulties presented. In consideration of the heritage nature of the building, the front two rooms were preserved, with the focus on reimagining the back of the house. By craning larger elements of the interior design into the home, the architects side-stepped the issue of entry space. Internally, a bathroom, master suite and living-kitchen-dining area sit within an open-plan scheme of free-flowing spaces, with skylights added throughout to draw natural light into the home from above. Internal courtyards are a crucial addition, allowing residents access to subtly landscaped spaces whilst sunlight floods the interior of the home.

The materiality of Ripponlea House is intentionally chosen for its robust and impactful nature. Comprised of brick, concrete and timber, the material palette is used consistently throughout the home to establish a sense of continuity and calm, reinforced by the refined forms of joinery and other interior detailing. By altering the floor and ceiling finishes within one large volume, Luke Fry Architecture and Interior Design is able to define living zones without resorting to splitting the area into several minute rooms. In the bathroom, a fully-rendered concrete bathtub creates a dramatic, unexpected focal point that grounds the space in a feeling of strength and solidity. Uniquely, the party wall of the residence remains in its plastered state, covered only by a wax coating – in a moment of adaptive, spontaneous design, Luke Fry Architecture and Interior Design pursued the tranquil aesthetic offered by the pared-back finish, and now it interacts with natural light to form a sensually-serene element of the home.

Architecturally, the house balances effortless movement with gentle spatial definition, creating a sense of freedom within an unimposing residential format.

In the evolution of the renovation it becomes clear that Ripponlea House is a reflection of Luke Fry Architecture and Interior Design’s philosophy. The design expresses interest in meeting genuine human need, championing a restrained approach in order to establish a better built environment for inhabitants. Architecturally, the house balances effortless movement with gentle spatial definition, creating a sense of freedom within an unimposing residential format. The admirable form and structural integrity of the building nods towards architect Luke Fry’s own extensive experience in the field of construction, having spent his formative years on building sites.

Capitalising on a fresh on-site perspective, the project emerges from a progressive design process, during which Luke Fry Architecture and Interior Design remained devotedly engaged. Raw and honest, the materiality of Ripponlea House lends itself to a timeless design with an enduring aesthetic and character.