Solid Superstructure – The Hopetoun by FGR Architects

As a solid superstructure, The Hopetoun showcases the refined expressiveness achieved by concrete. Meticulously designed by FGR Architects, the new build combines architecture, lighting and textural detail to reveal internal spaces of surprising intimacy.

Located in the leafy suburb of Toorak on the south-eastern side of Melbourne, The Hopetoun is a double-height volume designed to accommodate a large family. Situated on the corner of a road, the house is crafted to dramatically embrace the breadth of its site, presenting as a broad and expansive façade to the street. In particular, the exterior of the home cleverly integrates the lower, enclosing fence; both structures have the same concrete materiality and linear recesses, where the resulting view melds both fence and home into a singular, graphic interplay of light and shadow. Taking inspiration from the site’s liquidambar tree, FGR Architects designs in exploration of the visual, encouraging residents to look up and across to appreciate the enormity of the building.

Situated on the corner of a road, the house is crafted to dramatically embrace the breadth of its site, presenting as a broad and expansive façade to the street.

The Hopetoun is a confident display of impactful minimalism, demonstrating the benefits of the style across both practical and aesthetic design sectors. FGR Architects configures the home to maximise solar penetration via the northern aspect, fitting the sunlit side of the house with ample glazing and arranging the internal spaces to reflect the need for natural light. Whilst the southern orientation houses utilities and services, the northern counterpart is occupied by the most frequently habited rooms. Visually, a striking sculptural staircase provides a statement, twisting between the two levels and acknowledging the nature of clean-lined, substantial architecture. On the ground floor, an open-plan space provides an effortless means of connecting the office, dining, living and kitchen areas, so that each zone is within view.

Balancing the scale of the house, the relationship between lighting and architecture creates a subtle sense of privacy. Whilst the design studio employs uplighters to highlight the structural prowess of the building – including the implemented overhangs – the warm tone and gentle wash of the light brings the architecture closer, establishing a soft ambience and enhancing the sheltering character of the home. Sophisticated joinery and shelving are given the same treatment, speaking to a consistently applied interior agenda.

The Hopetoun is a confident display of impactful minimalism, demonstrating the benefits of the style across both practical and aesthetic design sectors.

Throughout The Hopetoun, concrete appears as a canvas for light. “Traditionally, we specialise in concrete architecture,” says Feras Raffoul, Director of FGR Architects. “Concrete has this natural beauty about it; it’s this slight undulation in its texture that really comes into character through natural sunlight or artificial light. It just accepts the light source in a very soft and tonal way.” Such delicate interaction between material and light imbues the property with a sense of intimacy typically found in smaller homes. Furthering the material identity of the structure, concrete is complemented with glass, timber and stone. Whilst travertine and timber inject additional tactile dimensions, the transparency of the glass juxtaposes the opaque concrete to refreshing effect.

The Hopetoun is a contemporary dwelling, firmly established through an experienced application of concrete. By utilising the enduring material in a robust palette, FGR Architects proposes a home that will maintain its distinction as it ages gracefully.