THE NAKED ARCHITECT SERIES 2
The Naked Architect — A guide to commissioning an architect – Series 2
Are you looking to renovate or build a new home and have considered using an architect but don’t know where to start? The best way to truly appreciate the benefits of engaging an architect is to hear straight from the architects and clients themselves, and in the homes they’ve created together. This is the premise of The Naked Architect.
The Naked Architect is an initiative of ArchiTeam and Open House Melbourne, with support from the Architects Registration Board of Victoria. The series was launched in 2017 and continued in 2018 as part of the year-round program of Open House.
Series 2. Episode 1
THE IDEAL CLIENT - WARC STUDIO
WARC Studio is a boutique multi disciplinary practice that specialises in creating highly crafted spatial solutions that integrate architecture, interior, landscape and sustainable design. This project provides alterations to a 1930’s residence in a dense inner urban location with challenging solar orientation. The additions provide an efficient building envelope and accompanying courtyards that maximise available natural light and create a tapestry of spaces, materials and details within the confined site area.
Series 2. Episode 2
DESIGN PROCESS - KRISNA CHEUNG ARCHITECTS
The project is a new double storey dwelling occupying a 200sqm block in North Melbourne. The original house was a single-storey brick veneer house from the 1970s without a heritage overlay. Model-making is an integral part of the design process for Krisna Cheung Architects. The client, a former interior designer, suggested making the building black, after falling fell in love with the black cardboard used in a model to differentiate between the proposed extension and the original building.
Krisna Cheung Architects was established in 2007 by Ray Cheung and his partner Elisabet Krisna. Their practice specialises mostly in residential and boutique retail projects, with their architecture based on their own life as a family of four, living and growing together in a healthy and comfortable home.
Series 2. Episode 3
MANAGING A BUDGET - MANI ARCHITECTURE
The Fishbowl House is a new double storey dwelling. The expectations of the client to create country aspirations on a suburban site create many challenges. For the home of an artist and craftsman who have relocated from the country to metropolitan life, careful consideration was given to room placement and orientation. To achieve the seclusion that is part of county living, layout and construction methods were stretched so that walls on boundaries enclose the desired private backyard areas. Connections between indoor and outdoor spaces create flexible entertaining areas, as large family gatherings were a priority. The use of recycled materials, internal brickwork and the exploration of new construction methods such as charred external timber cladding, embody the character of the client, their connection to their work, art and passion for life.
Series 2. Episode 4
CONSULTANTS - INBETWEEN ARCHITECTURE
Affectionately dubbed as the ‘urban-barnyard house’, the original house was an early 1900s, 2 bedroom Edwardian weatherboard cottage in Reservoir. The brief included removing existing lean-to kitchen and extending to provide new kitchen, dining, living and flexible living / guest room. Also, substantial renovation of the existing house to update and accommodate 3 bedrooms (move entry to accommodate new WIR to master), family bathroom, 2nd WC, laundry and storage. All finishes updated to unify ‘old and new’ parts of the house. Inbetween Architecture was established in 2012 by John Liu. Steph Richardson joined the practice in 2015. Focused mainly on residential design the practice has undertaken renovation and extension work ranging from $200K to $1.5M. Inspired by composer Claude Debussy’s musing that ‘music is the space between the notes’, they give particular attention to the quiet and calm that brings relief and definition to the spaces we live in.
Series 2. Episode 5
CONSTRUCTION - MOLECULE STUDIO
The Triangle House is a new home in Toorak, designed for a family of five. The clients’ brief requested a ‘beach house’ in an urban context with qualities including natural light, robust materials and a strong connection to the landscape. The architectural form is conceived as an elevated sinuous element, a timber-clad boat sitting on a rocky breakwater. The corner prow of the upper floor projects into the street, anchored by the dark recessive ground floor mass.
Molecule Studio is a holistic architecture and interior design practice formed in the spirit of collaboration, curiosity and creativity. Based in Melbourne since 2010, their designs form a strong connection between architecture, interiors and landscape.