The concept of a home is often tied to a sense of belonging and a place of refuge. For Blair Smith Architecture, this idea was brought to life through the 'Home Calling' project, a renovation and expansion of a late-Victorian home in Melbourne's inner precinct of Richmond Hill. The project's title, inspired by the clients' longing to return to their former home, is a fitting representation of the emotional connection that architecture can evoke.
The brief was to create a larger, two-storey contemporary addition that would accommodate the clients' growing family while maximizing views of the city skyline. This was no easy task, given the many regulatory and site issues that Blair Smith Architecture had to navigate, including crossovers, overlooking concerns, and a one-metre change in level from the front to the back of the site. However, the firm's expertise and innovative solutions resulted in a home that is much more than the sum of its parts.
One of the project's unique features is its two frontages. The existing front of the house was tidied up and a beautiful new garden designed by Josh Arkey from JALA Landscape was installed. The second frontage, on the wider-than-usual rear access lane, is where the architectural expression of the project is allowed a more unapologetic response among the motley assortment of garage doors and fences.
The new frontage is a crisply detailed two-storey volume in lightly bagged cream brick, positioned up against the neighbour's double-height wall on the southern boundary and opening the home and courtyard to the northern aspect. The laneway elevation is punctuated by a single window in its upper corner and provided with texture with a neatly aligned slatted gate that slides into a recessed niche when open. A hit-and-miss brick screen next to the niche is an architectural full stop that affords the clients both security and privacy when opening an internal window, and promotes cross ventilation through the house.
Along the northern elevation facing the courtyard, accoya slats, harmoniously toned to the brickwork, give the volume a lighter, more delicate feel. On the first floor, a long band of motorised screens open the upper windows to stunning views of the city without overlooking the neighbours. This upper wall splays open at the western end to dramatically expand the view of the city skyline from the first-floor retreat (and provide the backdrop for a special suspended fireplace that is surely from the future).
The interiors of the home are, as with the exterior, finely detailed and harmonious. Blair notes that the approach was to develop a small but refined palette of materials, be they Japanese tiles or bespoke basins in stone, that are then used across each of the wet areas and utility spaces to create continuity between the existing and new zones. This controlled palette is then offset with moments of warmth and colour such as the deep red carpet in the lounge and the timber joinery in the parents' retreat.
What makes this project particularly fascinating is the way it navigates the challenges of inner-suburban projects while creating a harmonious and refined living space. The use of materials and the attention to detail in both the exterior and interior design are a testament to Blair Smith Architecture's expertise and commitment to creating spaces that evoke a sense of belonging and refuge. In my opinion, this project is a shining example of how architecture can be used to create a home that is both functional and emotionally resonant.
One thing that immediately stands out is the way the project addresses the issue of overlooking and natural light concerns. By using motorised screens and carefully positioned windows, the architects have created a home that maximizes views and natural light while respecting the privacy of neighbours. This is a detail that I find especially interesting, as it demonstrates a deep understanding of the relationship between architecture and the surrounding environment.
What many people don't realize is that the project's two frontages are not just aesthetic choices, but also functional solutions to the challenges of the site. The new frontage on the rear access lane, for example, provides a more unapologetic architectural expression while also addressing the issue of security and privacy. This is a subtle but important detail that highlights the architects' commitment to creating a home that is both beautiful and practical.
If you take a step back and think about it, the 'Home Calling' project is a testament to the power of architecture to create spaces that evoke a sense of belonging and refuge. The way the project navigates the challenges of inner-suburban projects while creating a harmonious and refined living space is a shining example of how architecture can be used to enhance our lives and connect us to the places we call home.
This raises a deeper question: what makes a home truly special? In my opinion, it's not just the physical features of a space, but also the emotional connection that it evokes. The 'Home Calling' project is a beautiful example of how architecture can be used to create a space that is both functional and emotionally resonant, and I believe it will continue to inspire and delight for years to come.
