House in House, Fitzroy North Residence, Modern Residence, Victoria Architecture Images
House in House in Fitzroy North
Modern Home in Melbourne, Australia – design by Steffen Welsch Architects
4 Apr 2017
House in House
Design: Steffen Welsch Architects
Location: Fitzroy North, Victoria, Australia

House in House is an exploration of site boundary as limiter; as house not as an insertion in the landscape, but the boundary, the site?s physical constraints, as frame to both internal and external spaces, as form and void. We pushed this idea through the spatial planning of the site, creating an array of spaces arranged along a central spine.

House in House is a new build in a streetscape with significant heritage value. Our idea was that the home be an ?uneasy fit? within the street, creating a dialogue, an ongoing easy tension, with its predominantly federation style neighbours. This idea drove the building form and expression. We opted for a reinterpreted gable roofline and charcoal brick façade. House in House is noticed not on first, but second glance.
House in House contains five distinct internal pavilions or houses:

1. Working;

2. guest sleeping;

3. occupants sleeping;

4. kitchen/dining; and

5. lounge/library.

And three courtyards or voids:

1. retreat courtyard;

2. library courtyard; and

3. full width, entertaining courtyard.

Our clients desired a unique home offering clearly separate spaces for home office, or guest accommodation, or library. It...