Fluid Outcomes – Shift House by MAUD

As one of the main walking and cycling thoroughfares in Freemans Bay, Franklin Road is widely regarded for the character homes and mature plane trees that line its edges. Shift House, a Victorian villa that has recently undergone a significant renovation and extension by MAUD, sits along this desirable street. Conceived by the studio’s Director, Natasha Markham, as her own home, this project is a thoughtful reworking of the heritage identity to neatly reflect the daily patterns unique to her family.

Having lived in the house for seven years prior to renovating, Natasha’s knowledge of the home’s most enduring attributes was well informed, and this insight guided the scope. “The house has been designed with contemporary living in mind so, in a way, it has allowed us to live in the way we’d always hoped to,” she reflects. “It supports a fluidity of movement between zones and spaces for us to all come together as a family or extended groups of friends and hangers on, but then there’s also spaces for retreat, which I think everybody needs from time to time.”

“We looked to use more energy efficient appliances and heating systems in an effort to balance the load – and, in that sense, it was a no brainer to use the Fisher & Paykel Heat Pump Dryer because it’s much more energy efficient than other dryers on the market.”

As well as the two-storey addition at the rear, the existing villa required “fairly extensive remedial works,” and yet, the original intent of these rooms remains. Further, colour plays an important role; Natasha has employed a muted palette that shifts between the rooms, gently differentiating one from another. “The villa spaces are quite regular – they’re rectangular with the same dimensioned windows – so the colour helps to give each room its own character and personality,” she offers. “The changes in tone are quite subtle but as you move through to the newer part of the house, it’s slightly more undone and the emphasis shifts from tone to texture.”

Stepping down into the bottom half of the extension, the living spaces open onto a pool and back garden. The most notable player in the material narrative is the red brick floor, which heavily informed the rest of the palette. As Natasha shares, these floors – which utilise bricks salvaged from the original home – were a result of experimentation. “One of the great things about designing your own home is the opportunity to try things you may not have risked with a client,” she says. Another key example of this rationale was Natasha’s informed exploration of sustainable design outcomes, which led to the installation of photovoltaic panels on the roof and a consideration for energy sources and usage. “We looked to use more energy efficient appliances and heating systems in an effort to balance the load – and, in that sense, it was a no brainer to use the Fisher & Paykel Heat Pump Dryer because it’s much more energy efficient than other dryers on the market.” She adds that the drying rack is invaluable for drying her kids’ shoes in the wet winter months and the fabric care is excellent.

As a keen cook, Natasha selected appliances that elevate her everyday experience of the kitchen and contribute positively to the design intent, such as the Fisher & Paykel French Door Refrigerator Freezer and Double DishDrawer, which are both integrated into the cabinetry.

Despite being deliberately modest in size, the main living area expresses a generosity of space with thanks to a distinct connection to the outdoors and an uncluttered yet warm aesthetic. As Natasha offers, “it feels more like a garden pavilion because of the relationship between indoor and out.” The kitchen sits to the side of this space and, as such, the intention was for a quiet palette. Dark stained oak joinery is rich yet subdued alongside the tactile floors, and minimal and contemporary detailing makes way for a calming atmosphere. As a keen cook, Natasha selected appliances that elevate her everyday experience of the kitchen and contribute positively to the design intent, such as the Fisher & Paykel French Door Refrigerator and Double DishDrawer, which are both integrated into the cabinetry. Natasha says the combined Gas and Induction Cooktop is “fantastic,” adding, “I love the control of induction, but there are certain times when you just need some fire, so the wok burner is great in that sense. To be able to achieve a streamlined finish in the kitchen was very important to us, so this piece was an absolute winner in that regard.”

Armed with a deep and intuitive understanding of the brief, Natasha has succeeded in designing a generous home for her family, simultaneously harnessing openness and restraint in her response. Resultingly, Shift House is an entirely authentic outcome that is fitting for its occupants and their way of life. As Natasha offers, “the design maps the patterns of our day-to-day life, and in turn this has brought a real sense of ease to the way we live in the home.”