Day: May 28, 2020

The plans to transform this typical suburban block in Ivanhoe into a multipurpose family space were guided largely by the existing architecture by Modscape. ‘A bold, modular extension to an existing home required an equally striking garden,’ says landscape architect and director at Mud Office, Mira Martinazzo. Her clients saw the expansive rolling plot as simply an opportunity to add another ‘room’ to their house.

‘Their brief stipulated the need for various zones to accomodate diverse family activities,’ Mira continues, listing an outdoor eating area, a fire pit, a lawn and entry garden as requirements for the large communal area.

Situated at the crest of a hill, the entire site had sense of elevation Mira wanted to enhance in the final garden. She incorporated the advantageous views beyond the fenceline into her designs when deciding on a planting scheme, allowing the stretching birch and low-lying rosemary shrubs to

Designing a brand new house in an streetscape dominated by heritage homes is a major architectural challenge. In the case of this project in Fairfield (six kilometres north-east of the Melbourne CBD), however, there was little other option. The rundown weatherboard house on site needed replacing, and the clients didn’t wish to contribute to the growing number of unsympathetic new builds in the area. MRTN Architects were brought on to balance these requirements, creating a contemporary home that impressively and seamlessly nestles into its local context.

Key to this home’s success is its roof form, that mirrors the hip and gable forms common to the area, while concealing an innovative second storey. MRTN Architects director Antony Martin explains, ‘These roofs largely create the character of the neighbourhood, and were an important reference for how this new house design would fit in with its established neighbours.’

This project was also inspired