Quandary
Architecture Residential Victoria, Australia
11 Images
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1. Flexible living - kitchen 7186 px 4804 px A3 print |
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2. Kitchen detail 7227 px 4823 px A3 print |
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3. Multi-functional living, kitchen and study 7245 px 3498 px A4 print |
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4. Flexible living - kitchen 7186 px 4750 px A3 print |
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5. Study nook 4799 px 6731 px A3 print |
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6. Custom joinery incorporating bench seat and shelving 4737 px 5823 px 16 MB A3 print |
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7. Multi-functional living, kitchen and study 7245 px 3498 px A4 print |
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8. Kitchen detail 4758 px 7133 px A3 print |
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9. Flexible living - kitchen 7186 px 4804 px A3 print |
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10. Flexible living - kitchen 7186 px 4804 px A3 print |
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11. Flexible living - kitchen 7215 px 4823 px 16 MB A3 print |
1 Video
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Flexible island bench GIF
https://youtu.be/lhvyfWo_nWcDescription
The original design for the property presented a significant quandary. The existing open plan living, dining and kitchen space was less than thirty square meters in total floor area and yet was the sole living and dining space for a three bedroom plus study townhouse. The external envelope was largely locked by neighboring properties and the whole upper level was arranged around a stair, which divided the open plan space from the rest of the house at ground level, making any major internal rearrangement impossible.
By necessity, the solution became about a thoughtful refurbishment of the modest space available in the form of cabinetry design. The most significant part of which was to replace the existing fixed island bench and dining table with a rolling steel framed stone bench, that could be pressed into service as part of a flexible kitchen, a high dining table, a sideboard or even rolled outside onto the deck to service outdoor entertaining. This was complimented with custom designed fixed cabinetry that organized and maximized storage while providing spaces for specific functions like bench seating, to put on kids’ shoes, or an informal workspace from which kids could be watched.
Questions and Answers
What were the key challenges?
Structure - being a townhouse we were hemmed in on all sides with limited scope to go outside the existing envelope. There was limited budget and appetite to demolish internal structure and, as the open plan living, dining, kitchen space was adjacent to a stair, there was limited scope to move walls without a full rethinking of the stair and thus the upper storey as well.
What were the solutions?
The solution was to remove the integrated kitchen island and dining table in favour of a custom designed stone bench on a rolling steel frame. This allowed the whole space to be reconfigured such that the bench could act as a kitchen island or high dining table, be slid to the side of the room or even outside into the courtyard for outdoor dining. This maximized flexibility and allowed the modest space to meet the needs of any one of its functions well.
What was the brief?
To resolve a quandary left by the original property developer - the original design had allowed less than 30m2 of floor area to act as a thoroughfare, kitchen, dining and living space for a three bedroom plus study townhouse. Without significant structural changes we were tasked with maximizing the flexibility and usability of the most lived in spaces in the home.
Details
| Completion date | 2017 |
| Building levels | 2 |
Project team
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Lai Cheong Brown | Architect, Interior Design |