Today we take a look at a tactful and streamlined renovation of an existing 1960s dwelling in Melbourne. Designed by NTF Architecture, Bluff is a remake of an old gal which saw a brief refurbishment in the 1990s. With a brief that called for a modern open plan, family home that centered around easy living, this project saw NTF work with the bones of the house to not only create something contemporary but remain resourceful. Let’s have a closer look…
“The clients loved the idea that they could completely open up the living zone to allow a seamless flow from the inside to the outside, something that the old house did not allow for. Large full-height doors allow the flexibility to control how the internal and external living spaces connect.“ – NTF Architecture
Upon meeting with clients, there is always a push towards using the original bones of the house. This allowed for sustainable design by acknowledging the attributes of the original house and its setting. A modern adaptation to a classic 1960s was featured via the use of original glass bricks that run vertically up the south side of the building. The utilization of the existing materials and form allowed for a visually striking display of aesthetic features and also beneficial in terms of costings.
The design responded to the client’s brief to make an efficient home that embraces contemporary open plan living. This required for spatial improvements including increasing the size of the new kitchen by bringing the working space right out to the boundary line, adding both size and functionality, without compromising the overall area of the living and dining area. A skylight runs directly above the kitchen’s floor path which continues the connection to the outside that we see throughout the rest of the house.
“The space was made seemingly smaller by ceilings that hung lower, and floor levels that could not be changed. In order to alleviate this sense of enclosure, double height voids in areas both internally and externally have been introduced to emphasize the sense of space and create much larger volumes. The play on scale has created not only an interesting design detail, but has opened up the space in a way the old house did not allow for. In particular, the void at the entrance also allows for a better connection between the ground and the first floor.” – NTF Architecture
This striking renovation is a great example of using basic, yet effective design elements that seamlessly fuse together to create a practical, contemporary and complementary abode within its existing context.
House Project: Bluff
Architect: NTF Architecture
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Type: Renovation
Photographer: Dave Kulesza
