Nic Owen Architects use timber as a tool for warmth and individuality in their residential projects.
In the case of the North Fitzroy House, the challenge was to transform a heritage-listed family home into an updated space to accommodate their growing family.
“They’d lived there for about 4 years”, says Architect Nic Owen. “It was just a typical little two-bedroom Victorian brick Terrace […] it leaked when it rained and needed an awful lot doing to it.”
“North Fitzroy is tightly controlled with planning and the heritage overlays, but the site also had an incredibly challenging orientation.”
“We had to be very respectful and mindful of the existing structure,” Nic says.
“So whatever we built had to be sympathetic in terms of its size, form and massing and we had to retain the front two rooms.”
The second-storey addition is essentially a “modern glass structure wrapped in a timber skin”, that sits close to the Northern side, next to a cobbled side lane.
Timber features throughout the fit-out, the choice for the timber flooring being Big River Armourpanel, for its “beautiful texture and hardwearing finish”, says Nic.
For the joinery, which included a study desk and a substantial kitchen bench top, Big River was used extensively to add “warmth and individuality” to the interior.
The thoughtful blending of old with the new makes for a dramatic and timeless look for this Melbourne home.
PROJECT PROFILE
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