Explore a Japanese-Inspired Home's Innovative Interior Design

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Project Location and Context
3. Client's Goals and Design Brief
4. Incorporating Playful Elements and Primal Design
5. Retention of the Original Cottage
6. Importance of Material Selection
7. Japanese Style Design Elements
8. Maximizing Natural Light in a Long Narrow Site
9. Creating Amenity in a Small Floor Area
10. Connection with Landscape through Glass
11. Japanese Inspired Bathroom Design
12. The Heart of the Home - Step Down Kitchen
13. Living in the House and Final Thoughts

Introduction

In this article, we will explore the design Journey of the Harry House, a project located in The North of Melbourne. We will Delve into the project's context, the client's goals and design brief, and the unique elements that make this house stand out. From incorporating playful and primal design elements to maximizing natural light and creating a strong connection with the landscape, the Harry House is a testament to innovative and thoughtful architecture.

Project Location and Context

The Harry House is situated in the vibrant suburb of Coburg in the North of Melbourne. Bound by Sydney Road and Lygon Street, the area offers ample amenities and convenient access to Merry Creek and a variety of dining options. The proximity to these attractions adds to the appeal of the location, making it an ideal choice for the project.

Client's Goals and Design Brief

The client's primary objective for the Harry House was to maintain the warmth and character of the original double-fronted pre-war weatherboard cottage while creating a new lens to the enchanting ramshackle garden at the back. The existing garden, with its mix of Fig trees and overgrown foliage, provided a captivating backdrop, but the old house failed to connect with it. The design brief called for a reorientation of the living space to frame the lush garden and capture its essence.

Incorporating Playful Elements and Primal Design

The project lead, Chris Gilbert, drew inspiration from his childhood spent in country Victoria, where he built cubbies and tree houses. He sought to infuse the Harry House with the primal and playful elements of those childhood memories, aiming to replicate the joy and Sense of adventure in everyday life. The outcome is a design that breaks away from the conventional Melbourne box extension and offers a more dynamic and playful living experience. The Harry House feels like living inside a textural object, with its unique Blend of warmth, dynamism, and character.

Retention of the Original Cottage

When arriving at the Harry House, one might not immediately Notice the extensive renovation that has taken place. The front part of the house carefully retains the original cottage, seamlessly blending the old with the new. The sightline from the front door draws the gaze through the extension and toward the captivating garden, specifically the majestic fig tree. This deliberate design choice ensures a seamless transition between the old and the new, creating a harmonious and Cohesive space.

Importance of Material Selection

In the creation of the Harry House, careful consideration was given to material selection. The goal was to choose materials that would age gracefully, be Durable, and have a raw and honest quality to them. The use of materials that exhibit life and imperfections, such as honest carpentry and textures, adds to the overall character of the house. Concrete, a material that withstands the test of time, was strategically integrated into the design, alongside INAX boards, which are both indestructible and fireproof.

Japanese Style Design Elements

One notable aspect of the Harry House is its incorporation of Japanese style design elements. With Japanese heritage, the clients were drawn to the unique aesthetic of Japanese architecture. The design team, led by Chris Gilbert, has successfully integrated these elements into the project, as they had done in their previous works. To accommodate the clients' desire to incorporate an old mizuya tansu, a large Japanese piece of furniture, the design allowed for it to have a dedicated space within the house.

Maximizing Natural Light in a Long Narrow Site

One of the challenges faced in the design of the Harry House was the constraints of the long and narrow site. Overcoming this obstacle required clever strategies to ensure that every room received ample natural light. To achieve this, the original pre-war cottage was retained and a courtyard was introduced between the old and new building. This courtyard functions as a light well, flooding the rumpus room with natural light and providing a deep connection to the landscape. The innovative design also allows the landscape to wrap around the building, ensuring that every vantage point offers a view of the garden.

Creating Amenity in a Small Floor Area

The floor area of the Harry House is relatively compact, just slightly over 200 square meters. To maximize amenity within this limited space, alternative solutions were explored. One such solution was the inclusion of soft netted areas in the voids, rather than additional rumpus rooms. These nets serve a dual purpose, providing a unique and flexible space that allows occupants to occupy the entire area without the need for furniture. This creative approach ensures that functionality and comfort are not compromised in a smaller floor area.

Connection with Landscape through Glass

Glass plays a pivotal role in the design of the Harry House, as is often the case in the projects undertaken by the design team. The extensive use of full-Height glass panels allows for a strong connection between the interiors and the surrounding landscape. The unique design of the house provides opportunities to enjoy the garden views and the expansive sky, making the living experience truly special and immersive. The glass elements Create a sense of transparency, blurring the boundaries between the indoors and the outdoors.

Japanese Inspired Bathroom Design

Another Japanese inspired element of the Harry House can be seen in the design of the bathrooms. Following the traditional Japanese approach, separate spaces were dedicated for the toilet, basin, and bathing areas. This configuration allows for greater privacy and a more efficient use of space. The thoughtful design ensures that the bathroom experience is not just functional, but also aesthetically pleasing and in line with the overall design vision of the house.

The Heart of the Home - Step Down Kitchen

As is often said, the kitchen is the heart of the home. The Harry House embraces this idea by incorporating a step-down kitchen design. This layout provides a practical and efficient workspace at a comfortable height of 900 millimeters, perfect for food preparation. On the other side of the kitchen, the bench space is designed more like a piece of furniture at table height, encouraging interaction and creating a communal atmosphere. The step-down design adds an interesting visual element to the overall aesthetic of the house.

Living in the House and Final Thoughts

The Harry House has proven to be an exceptional space for raising a young family. The abundance of natural light, the ever-changing seasons visible from the garden, and the overall sense of relaxation are aspects that the homeowners, Tanya and Pete, cherish. The project has exceeded their expectations and brought immense joy to their lives. Chris Gilbert and the design team are particularly proud of the outcome, knowing that the house has been designed with Tanya and her family in mind. The Harry House is a testament to the power of thoughtful and personalized design, creating a space that is not just aesthetically pleasing, but a true home for living.

The Harry House - A Playful and Primal Design Connection with Nature

The Harry House, located in the vibrant suburb of Coburg in Melbourne, is a testament to innovative and thoughtful architecture. This article explores the design journey of the Harry House, delving into its context, the client's goals, and the unique elements that make it stand out. From the incorporation of playful and primal design elements to maximizing natural light and creating a strong connection with the landscape, the Harry House offers a truly exceptional living experience. Keep reading to discover the captivating story of this architectural gem.

Introduction

The Harry House, located in the north of Melbourne, is a project that combines creativity, functionality, and a deep connection with nature. The project lead, Chris Gilbert, and his design team successfully transformed a double-fronted pre-war weatherboard cottage into a beautifully designed and unique living space. With its incorporation of playful elements, primal design, and a strong focus on nature and the surrounding landscape, the Harry House is a testament to the power of thoughtful and personalized architecture.

Project Location and Context

Situated in the bustling suburb of Coburg, the Harry House benefits from its prime location. Bound by Sydney Road and Lygon Street, the area is known for its abundance of amenities and easy access to attractions such as Merry Creek and a wide range of dining options. The proximity to these amenities adds to the appeal of the location, making it an excellent choice for the project.

Client's Goals and Design Brief

The client's primary goal for the Harry House was to preserve the warmth and character of the original cottage while creating a stronger connection with the enchanting garden at the back. The existing garden, with its mix of fig trees and overgrown foliage, provided a captivating backdrop. However, the original house did not effectively embrace this stunning natural beauty. The design brief called for a reorientation of the living space to create a frame for the lush garden, thereby merging the indoor and outdoor spaces seamlessly.

Incorporating Playful Elements and Primal Design

Drawing inspiration from his own childhood spent building cubbies and tree houses in country Victoria, Chris Gilbert sought to infuse the Harry House with playful and primal design elements. There is a certain primal and childlike joy in creating spaces that Evoke a sense of playfulness and adventure. This desire to replicate the best aspects of childhood in everyday life was shared by the client, resulting in a design that is truly unique and far from the conventional Melbourne box extension. The Harry House offers a living experience that is playful, dynamic, and reminiscent of living inside a textural object.

Retention of the Original Cottage

With careful Attention to Detail, the design team successfully retained the original double-fronted pre-war weatherboard cottage while seamlessly integrating the new extension. From the moment You arrive at the Harry House, you may not immediately realize the significant renovations that have taken place. The sightline from the front door draws you through the extension and towards the captivating garden, specifically the majestic fig tree. Preserving the original cottage adds a sense of history and character to the overall design, creating a harmonious and cohesive living space.

Importance of Material Selection

When selecting materials for the Harry House, the design team focused on finding materials that would age gracefully, be robust, and have a raw and honest quality. The choice of materials played a crucial role in achieving a design that embraces imperfections and showcases honest craftsmanship. Concrete, a material known for its durability, was cleverly incorporated into the design, alongside INAX boards, which are both indestructible and fireproof.

Japanese Style Design Elements

With Japanese heritage, the clients were particularly drawn to Japanese style design elements. Their desire to integrate these elements into the design was met with enthusiasm by the design team, who had prior experience incorporating Japanese aesthetics into their projects. The inclusion of an old mizuya tansu, a large Japanese piece of furniture, allowed for the seamless Fusion of Japanese design elements with the overall design of the Harry House.

Maximizing Natural Light in a Long Narrow Site

One of the challenges faced in the design of the Harry House was the long and narrow site. To overcome this constraint, the design team introduced a courtyard between the old and new buildings. This courtyard acts as a light well, flooding the rumpus room with natural light and creating a deep connection to the surrounding landscape. The innovative design also allows the landscape to wrap around the building, ensuring that every vantage point offers a view of the garden.

Creating Amenity in a Small Floor Area

Despite having a floor area of just over 200 square meters, the Harry House does not compromise on amenity. To maximize the functionality and comfort within this limited space, the design team explored alternative solutions. One such solution was the inclusion of soft netted areas in the voids, providing unique and flexible spaces that can be occupied without the need for furniture. This creative approach ensures that every inch of space is utilized effectively, creating an inviting and comfortable living environment.

Connection with Landscape through Glass

Glass plays a pivotal role in the design of the Harry House, blurring the boundaries between the indoors and the outdoors. Full-height glass panels create a strong connection with the surrounding landscape, allowing the residents to enjoy breathtaking garden views and the expansive sky. The design of the Harry House affords a truly unique living experience, where the natural beauty of the outdoors becomes an integral part of daily life.

Japanese Inspired Bathroom Design

Japanese style design elements extend to the bathrooms of the Harry House, where separate spaces were dedicated for the toilet, basin, and bathing areas. This configuration aligns with the traditional Japanese approach to bathroom design, enhancing privacy and optimizing the use of space. The carefully considered design ensures that the bathroom experience is not just functional but also aesthetically pleasing, adding to the overall harmony and cohesion of the house.

The Heart of the Home - Step Down Kitchen

The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home, and the Harry House is no exception. The step-down kitchen design provides a practical and efficient workspace at a comfortable height of 900 millimeters, perfect for food preparation. On the other side of the kitchen, the bench space is designed more like a piece of furniture at table height, encouraging interaction and creating a communal atmosphere. The step-down design adds an interesting visual element to the overall aesthetic of the house.

Living in the House and Final Thoughts

Living in the Harry House has been an exceptional experience for the homeowners, Tanya and Pete, and their three boys. The abundance of natural light, the ever-changing seasons visible from the garden, and the overall sense of relaxation are aspects that they cherish. The project has exceeded their expectations and brought immense joy to their lives. Chris Gilbert and the design team take pride in knowing that the Harry House was specifically designed for Tanya and her family. This personalized approach has resulted in a truly remarkable living space that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also a true home for living.

Highlights

• The Harry House is a project located in the vibrant suburb of Coburg in Melbourne, offering a unique and thoughtful design.
• The design successfully combines playful and primal elements, creating a dynamic and one-of-a-kind living space.
• The retention of the original cottage adds character and history to the design while seamlessly integrating it with the new extension.
• Material selection was crucial, emphasizing the use of durable and raw materials that age well over time.
• Japanese style design elements, including the incorporation of an old mizuya tansu, add a touch of elegance and cultural richness.
• Maximizing natural light in a long, narrow site was achieved through the introduction of a courtyard and clever architectural techniques.
• Despite its compact floor area, the Harry House offers ample amenity and functionality through creative design solutions.
• Glass plays a significant role in the design, creating a strong connection with the surrounding landscape and allowing for breathtaking views.
• The bathrooms are designed in line with traditional Japanese principles, ensuring privacy and a harmonious flow.
• The heart of the home, the step-down kitchen, provides a practical workspace and fosters interaction among family members.

FAQ

Q: What was the main goal for the design of the Harry House? A: The main goal was to maintain the warmth and character of the original cottage while creating a stronger connection with the enchanting garden at the back.

Q: How did the design team incorporate playful elements into the Harry House? A: Drawing inspiration from childhood memories, the design team infused playful and primal design elements into the house, creating a dynamic and adventurous living experience.

Q: What role does glass play in the design of the Harry House? A: Glass panels are extensively used to blur the boundaries between the indoors and outdoors, allowing for a strong connection with the surrounding landscape and stunning garden views.

Q: How did the design team maximize natural light in a narrow site? A: The design team introduced a courtyard between the old and new buildings, acting as a light well and flooding the rumpus room with natural light.

Q: How was amenity created in a small floor area? A: To maximize amenity, the design team incorporated soft netted areas in the voids, providing unique and flexible spaces that can be occupied without the need for furniture.

Q: Does the design of the Harry House incorporate Japanese style elements? A: Yes, the design cleverly integrates Japanese style elements, including an old mizuya tansu and a separate configuration of spaces in the bathrooms.

Q: What is unique about the step-down kitchen design? A: The step-down kitchen design provides a practical and efficient workspace at a comfortable height for food preparation, while the other side of the kitchen is designed like a piece of furniture at table height, encouraging interaction and creating a communal atmosphere.