The design and structure of this compact Melbourne terrace by Whiting Architects revolves around the idea of quality over quantity. With a measly 96m2 footprint to work with, the idea was to maximise every inch of space available and explore all possibilities to cheat extra space where needed. The house is designed for a young working couple who like to entertain, thus the design required spaces to be versatile enough to work for just the two of them and also work while entertaining guests. Let’s go take a look?
With the brief focused on saving space while at the same time demanded the basic needs of a home with added amenities for occasional entertaining, the team was aware that every room has to create an impression of added space. The opportunity to capture panoramic city views called for the inclusion of roof terrace which allowed the ground floor footprint to extend almost to the rear laneway boundary, without fear of losing outdoor space. This rooftop terrace approves of the needed space for entertaining guests outdoors as well as an outdoor area for their large dog.
“We needed to combine a living, dining, kitchen and laundry into a mere 32m2 whilst still giving the impression of space. Small space is something we are very familiar with. We were confident we could create a solution that maximised every inch of available space.” – Whiting Architects
Long skylights throughout the dining and living areas invite natural light throughout the day as the sun moves around the house, keeping the house well-lit even on a grey Melbourne day. This feature bounces light so well that it starts to create the illusion of larger space. An internal courtyard provides natural light to the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen and creates a pocket of texture and greenery in the centre of the house.
The visual depth created by a light and muted colour palette colour palette allows the different light quality inherent throughout the day to create everchange patterns of light. These features were kept deliberately simple as space was limited both physically and visually. The use of timber, leather, stone, concrete and soft furnishings provide texture, warmth and depth.
“Extra space was cheated by concealing the appliances in the kitchen and laundry allowing the two areas to bleed into each other as well as living and dining areas. The window box adds additional seating in the living area while not adding to the building footprint.” – Whiting Architects
At just 96 square metres, the Pocket House by Whiting Architects worries less about size and more about the overall functionality of the home. It contains all the essentials and more in a compact and space-efficient package. Perfectly designed to comfortably accommodate the young couple and their knack for entertaining. Talk about punching above your weight!
House Project: Pocket House
Architect: Whiting Architects
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Type: Renovation
Photography: Shannon McGrath
