1950’s charisma
This original 1950’s suburban home was is in good condition, had great charm, and charisma. Located in Murrumbeena, Victoria, the fully detached house with its gabled slate roof, red brick walls, white fenestration and features stepped corbel details. It was decided to retain as much of the original as possible and to honour its virtues with a contemporary interpretation.
Re-imagined by Architecture Architecture the side extension, visible from the street, somewhat mirrors the original house. For clarity, the mirror line is marked by a vertical zip of projecting white bricks. Either side of this line is the chimney, in true facsimile. Thereafter things get distorted as the stepped corbel brickwork is magnified through the architectural looking glass.
To the rear, the extension appears as a neutral field of white blade walls supporting a thin, flat roof. The original roofline remains visible and the red brick house is merely veiled, appearing almost as if untouched. These new white walls create deep, shady thresholds for outdoor seating, dining and reclining, while concealing new bedrooms and new living quarters in their protective shade.