Designed by Coy Yiontis Architects

The renovation and addition to this partly two-storey home was designed by Coy Yiontis Architects to accommodate an extended family of eight on a relatively modest site within a dense urban context. A bedroom for each of the four children, one for the parents and another possibly for grandparents, generous living spaces and a swimming pool were key to House 3's brief…

House 3 by Coy Yiontis Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

House 3 by Coy Yiontis Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

Separating Old and New

Situated in a relatively intact heritage streetscape in Balaclava the project required an approach that restored the street presence of the original Victorian weatherboard, badly disfigured over time and added the spaces required by the family. The strategy was to divide the house into two discreet buildings, old and new, separated by a large central courtyard and reconnected by a glazed link. The courtyard with its pool, gives the new building its northern aspect and is conceived as an extension of the communal spaces of the home which surround it on three sides.

House 3 by Coy Yiontis Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

House 3 by Coy Yiontis Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

Original Building

The original building fabric was stripped back to its salvageable elements and the footprint reduced to form a seemingly freestanding cottage at the front of the site. The exterior was then carefully restored to its original Victorian character. Internally spaces of the old house were reconfigured to become an office, library/living room and guest bedroom. The volume of the original structure was exploited in the new layout to create a grand living space.

House 3 by Coy Yiontis Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

House 3 by Coy Yiontis Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

Clever Planning

A new two storey timber clad building was constructed at the rear of the property facing the old cottage across the courtyard and pool. Its angular form, commenced as a response to planning constraints, evolved into a subtle geometry that shaped the envelope and influenced the plan of both buildings. The family’s bedrooms are accommodated upstairs. At ground floor an irregular open plan of living space flows around large kernels of service space. A glazed link with built in daybed borders the pool exploiting the morning sun.

House 3 by Coy Yiontis Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

House 3 by Coy Yiontis Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

Courtyard Living

The original entry was eschewed for a new access sequence leading from the street, down the eastern side of the original house and into the central courtyard. At this point, one is embraced by the home. Full height glazing to three sides allows views into all parts of the ground floor. Entry to the home is via the solid 'front' door into the new building. Should weather permit, glazed panels slide away to open the house out completely, integrating indoor and outdoor spaces.

House 3 by Coy Yiontis Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

House 3 by Coy Yiontis Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

Simple, Quality Materials

Travertine unifies the floor plane, seamlessly passing from indoors to outdoors. Timber is celebrated in the beautifully crafted cladding and interior panelling.

House 3 by Coy Yiontis Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

House 3 by Coy Yiontis Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

House 3 by Coy Yiontis Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

House 3 by Coy Yiontis Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

House 3 by Coy Yiontis Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

House 3 by Coy Yiontis Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

House 3 by Coy Yiontis Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

House 3 by Coy Yiontis Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

House 3 by Coy Yiontis Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

House 3

Considering how many people it needs to accommodate, this is not a big house. Considered planning and the integration of indoor and outdoor achieve a generosity and variety of communal spaces for the family at odds with the actual size of the building. Private areas are restrained and humble. It is an urban home that functions successfully for a multi-generational family and its evolving needs.

House 3 by Coy Yiontis Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

House 3 by Coy Yiontis Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

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