LOCAL HOUSE BY MAKE ARCHITECTURE IS DESIGNED TO TAKE WEAR AND TEAR

A suburban renovation in Australia that puts family life at the forefront

Melbourne-based architecture firm Make Architecture has renovated Local House, a private family home in the Melbourne suburb of St. Kilda. When approaching the renovation, the architects first examined how a family lives and endeavored to create connections both internally and externally. “Spaces are playful; conceived more like a favorite local café than a private house,” the architects stated.

A gabled two-storey extension was added to the existing Californian Bunglow and slightly shifted to allow a clear connection between the living/dining space and the garden. Containing the master bedroom, the overhanging upper level has been clad in a perforated wooden screen that preserves privacy without blocking sunlight or the view. The wooden screen floats above the concrete base providing a warm contrast. Concrete was used externally for the foundation and vertically rising elements but also internally for seats, benches and surfaces. The integral use of concrete becomes one of many charming components of the home.

The architects created a balance between intimacy and community. The use of steps wherever possible creates private moments for seated reflection, but the home is an open environment whose scope extends to the garden and even beyond. Rather than shutting the home to the street, the rear is transformed into a studio and garage that includes a neighborhood bench and small porch to encourage connections with the community. Bluestone pavers were even used in the garage in order to bring the bluestone cobbles of the street into the home.

Although designed as a sturdy home, ready to handle the blows of family life, it is filled with surprising elements of delight: a floating staircase that doubles as a bookshelf, a wall covered in whiteboard paint that serves as the family message board, pops of yellow tile and an indoor/outdoor fireplace.