Affordable +
Architecture Residential Shoreham, Victoria, Australia
19 Images
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1. the "lounge room" 7360 px 4912 px 6 MB A3 print |
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2. the "dining room" 4032 px 6048 px 11 MB A3 print |
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3. kitchen 7360 px 4912 px 19 MB A3 print |
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4. view from the lounge sun penetrating deep into the dining space 4032 px 6048 px 3 MB A3 print |
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5. kitchen dining 7360 px 4912 px 5 MB A3 print |
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6. the music room 4928 px 3280 px 9 MB A4 print |
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7. the music room 6048 px 4032 px 3 MB A3 print |
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8. the music room open up bi-fold doors for performances 6048 px 4032 px 10 MB A3 print |
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9. 6048 px 4032 px 3 MB A3 print |
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10. 6048 px 4032 px 7 MB A3 print |
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11. Light from above 4032 px 6048 px 13 MB A3 print |
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12. the lobby 4912 px 7360 px 19 MB A3 print |
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13. the hall uncoordinated plywood around old trusses 4857 px 7286 px 4 MB A3 print |
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14. exterior the old bricks re-used 3280 px 4928 px 12 MB A4 print |
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15. the backyard 4032 px 6048 px 13 MB A3 print |
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16. street view the original re-built 5990 px 3993 px 13 MB A3 print |
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17. ground floor plan 842 px 595 px 124 KB Print - Low res only |
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18. first floor plan 842 px 595 px 120 KB Print - Low res only |
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19. section 842 px 595 px 127 KB Print - Low res only |
Description
This project is about recognising the spirit of a place. Located in Melbourne’s inner-city opposite a suburban train station this is a re-assembly of an old dilapidated factory building to become a home with studios for an artist and musician.
The original building formed an integral part of an urban neighbourhood but proved to be too deteriorated to be saved. After exploring options of retaining the existing structure we decided to partly demolish and rebuild the brick shell in its original form with the materials salvaged on site. A new first floor bedroom wing was inserted as a lightweight structure supported by a steel frame and defines the living area below. The studios were built as commercial spaces reduced construction cost.
Our approach of retaining the spirit of the original fabric continued into details. Unfinished materials were employed to create a non-precious environment that is easy to use and maintain.
The former stable and later print factory was purchased with the intention to renovate and turn it into studios and a house. Part of the building’s appeal that was its atmosphere, textures and patina expressing its history.
Careful investigation revealed that the building could not be saved with reasonable means and a conversion could not achieve required energy efficiency and thermal performance. Various options were explored: a new house design, prefabricated modular buildings but none suited the brief and made a valuable contribution to the urban fabric in this location.
The driver for our design concept was the contribution of the place to its immediate environment. This led to partially demolishing old walls and roof, removing the slab and rebuilding using the original bricks. Rebuilding enabled the new dwelling to achieve a good thermal performance while maintaining the tactile and aesthetic qualities of an aged structure. Parts of external wall and roof trusses (non-compliant under current structural codes), were kept, reinforced and merged into the aesthetic concept. The new program could be realised with modest and simple insertions and additions.
Questions and Answers
What was the brief?
The brief was to convert a dilapidated print factory into a residence for a musician and artist. Beside an open dining living space, two bedrooms and wet areas it was to accommodate a music room big enough for performances as well as a sculpture studio. After a thorough structural inspection we realised, the old warehouse was structurally unsound and beyond conversion. Demolition was unavoidable.
What were the key challenges?
What was thought to be a warehouse conversion on a tight budget turned into demotion and building a new home and studio on a tight budget.
In addition we wanted to incorporate best practice design and thermal performance on a modest budget into an aged structure, while retaining the building’s spirit of place and contribution to the community.
How is the project unique?
We made the most of what we could and re-assembled the building with materials salvaged on site to make it structurally sound and more thermally efficient. We took down most of the walls, cleaned the bricks and put them back together again, reducing embodied energy as well.
One unique feature of our warehouse/studio/residence we are proud of are our approach to finishes. We wanted a place that is non-precious and accessible. It had to be ready for use: simple finishes, low cost, low maintenance. So we left materials rough or unfinished wherever we could. The concrete slab has a steel trowel finish, walls and ceiling are lined with plywood uncoordinated and unfinished, and some ceilings are made from polycarbonate, an off-the-shelf material. Kitchen joinery has black form ply, stainless steel benchtops and both raw and black-painted brick splashbacks.
On the other hand we didn’t skimp on insulation, double glazing and ESD features that make it comfortable and affordable to run.
Details
| Project size | 196 m2 |
| Site size | 256 m2 |
| Completion date | 2016 |
| Building levels | 2 |
Project team
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Steffen Welsch | |
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Steffen Welsch Architects | Design Architect |