Compact two-storey home for a growing young family

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Creating a sense of space within a small footprint became the central challenge for the architects behind this project

Looking back into the kitchen architecture, ceiling, daylighting, house, interior design, living room, roof, gray, brown — Looking back into the kitchen

Looking back into the kitchen - Looking back architecture, ceiling, daylighting, house, interior design, living room, roof, gray, brown

A large black counter leads the eye to architecture, cabinetry, countertop, furniture, interior design, kitchen, product design, table, black, gray

This sitting area would look inviting to chair, floor, flooring, furniture, interior design, living room, table, wall, white

A high pitched ceiling in the lounge creates architecture, countertop, daylighting, house, interior design, kitchen, black

A tidy courtyard sits adjacent to the living architecture, facade, home, house, outdoor structure, real estate, roof, teal, black

Skylights flood the lounge with light - Skylights architecture, daylighting, house, interior design, living room, loft, property, real estate, roof, gray, black

Brick, concrete and timber meet in this hallway architecture, daylighting, house, wall, wood, gray, brown

This large door and surrounding windows connect the architecture, ceiling, daylighting, house, interior design, living room, property, real estate, roof, gray, brown

Black, white and wood run throughout the house architecture, countertop, furniture, house, interior design, kitchen, product design, black, gray

An open shower looks out to a window architecture, bathroom, ceiling, daylighting, floor, home, house, interior design, plumbing fixture, product design, room, sink, tile, gray

There's no shortage of storage space - There's cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, furniture, interior design, kitchen, product design, table, black, gray

Architect: SeventySeven Projects

From the architect: Valiant House is the transformation of an inner-city weatherboard workers cottage into a compact two-storey home for a growing young family.

Occupying the smallest block in a secluded one-way street, the existing workers cottage was typical of its type – inherently dark and with the only outlook to the south-facing garden occurring from the bathroom. The owners craved a connection to the rear garden and flexible spaces where kids could play or parents retreat.

Creating a sense of space within the small footprint became the central challenge around which the design revolved.The front portion of the house containing two bedrooms was retained, while the back of the house was re-imagined into one large open volume that stretched the full width of the site. High ceilings, mirrored skylights and glazing along the entire back wall gives the illusion of space and offers an uninterrupted connection with the garden, a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living spaces.

The service area – bathroom, laundry, and kitchen – is positioned centrally in the plan to allow the kitchen and living areas to open up fully to the garden. This central core, wrapped on all four sides in timber and with concealed doors, disguises the utilitarian aspects and gives the impression of a timber box sitting within a larger space.

The material palette of concrete, brick, timber and black was chosen for its robustness, able to endure the children's scooters and footballs whilst also exuding a clean and uncluttered aesthetic. The existing boundary brick wall with all its imperfections – old glue, cracks and nails - has been retained and celebrated.

Painted chevrons playfully reference the pitched roof forms whilst also heralding the old red-brick wall. The additional space and flexibility of use means the house is large enough to accommodate the family both now and into the future.

Story by: Trends

Photography by: Peter Bennetts

08 Nov, 2020

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