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#RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS

ANDREW MAYNARD’S TOWER HOUSE RESEMBLES A MINIATURE COMMUNITY

The Australian architecture firm uses gabled blocks to harmoniously expand a single-family home

Tower House is the renovation of a single-family home in the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. Conceived through several abstract discussions that transpired between Andrew Maynard Architects and the clients, the home reflects the family’s interests, values and paradoxes.

A family of four, the parents expressed a connection to nature and the community, an interest in art, politics, culture and a complex balance of introversion and extroversion. The elaborate conversations led to a list of important keywords and ideas, but simple drawings from the eight-year-old twin boys truly launched the project.

Since the lot was located in a suburban street filled with small brick homes, the architects nixed the idea of an oversized contemporary structure. They also did not want the expansion to appear incoherent or monolithic. To avoid this, the architects created an “anti-monolith” with seven gabled blocks that visually interact like the buildings of a small village.

Instead of simply expanding horizontally, as is common of Australian homes, the architects played with vertical expansion, notably with a double-height tower dedicated to the boys. The tower combines play and study with books running from floor to ceiling and a lofted net where the boys can read or play.

Externally, the structures are deceptively small and disconnected, but internally, the individual blocks become intertwined and spacious, a sensation that is amplified by the homes verticality. However, the home can be blocked off into smaller sections with conveniently placed sliding panels to create privacy or reduce the usable space as needed.

Although private, the home remains directly linked to the community. The front garden is transformed into a community vegetable garden where neighbors are invited to partake and participate. A fence does surround the home, but it can be left open, letting the miniature, single-family village blur gently into the greater community.

ANDREW MAYNARD’S TOWER HOUSE RESEMBLES A MINIATURE COMMUNITY

Details

  • Alphington VIC, Australia
  • Andrew Maynard Architects