A Breeze Block Courtyard Is the Only Way to Access This Australian Home’s Bedroom

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Project Details:

Location: Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia

Architect: Architecture architecture / @architecture_architecture

Footprint: 1,023 square feet

Builder: Grenville Architectural Construction

Structural & Civil Engineer: Measure Engineering

Photographer: Tom Ross / @tomross.xyz

From the Architect: "Sunday is a home for physical and psychological well-being, providing a diversity of spaces where occupants can always find a place of comfort: social and private spaces; generous and intimate spaces; spaces to gather and spaces to retreat.

"Establishing a spectrum of spatial conditions on a site of just 1,883 square feet was a challenge, and one that defined the DNA of this project. The extension has been zoned into three north-south bands, establishing the main realms: communal, outdoor, and private. Two east-west bands further divide each of these realms into two zones: generous and intimate. Checkering the plan in this way gives rise to a spectrum of conditions: communal/generous, communal/intimate, outdoor/generous, outdoor/intimate, private/generous, and private/intimate.

"These qualities are further reinforced by the ceiling plane: lofty and raked over the generous zones, and low and flat over the intimate zones where space is contained and bodily. This geometry is continuous across the length of the extension with expressed beams, clerestory glazing, and concrete pavers connecting the communal, outdoor, and private realms in a single gesture. This has the effect of establishing the courtyard as an outdoor room, continuous with the adjacent indoor spaces. Color further reinforces the idea, with a sunken lounge and sunken bathtub both rendered in warm yellow, connecting them across the garden.

"Given the small size of the site, concerns of separation and connection are key. Breeze-block walls demarcate the various zones of the house, yet permit light, breeze, and views. Similarly, north-facing clerestory windows permit abundant light while their obscure glazing conceals views of the neighboring two-story house that would otherwise loom over the property.

"Bedroom access is across the open-air courtyard, providing a deliberate retreat from the house—a valuable gesture on a site where separation of zones is challenging. In this way, retiring for the evening is a more considered ritual. Similarly, occupants are more conscious of the weather, which plays a role in the daily experience of home life: wet weather requires a quick dash across the courtyard, while warm weather permits the doors to be thrown open, connecting the two halves of the house. While this arrangement wouldn’t suit everyone, the decision to forego a connecting hallway on a site of this size is hugely beneficial, maximizing natural light, ventilation and garden aspect for both sides of the house.

"Materially, natural textures have been brought to the fore, with minimal surface treatments allowing the house to develop its own patina with time. Our clients have an interest in the works of Geoffrey Bawa and one was raised in a Paul Couch house, establishing in them an affinity for robust materials, muted palettes, clear geometries, and spaces sculpted by light. And yet, our clients also have a love of yellow, inspired by Luis Barragan’s bold colors. Both influences have been formative in the design of our clients’ new home."