Black House by Mitsuori Architects

ByJon Dykstra Houses

An image depicting the architectural design of the frontal facade of the Black House, showcasing its exterior features.

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Architect: Mitsuori Architects
Location: Hawthorn East

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This residential project was designed to extend and transform a conservative heritage home in inner suburban Melbourne into a dynamic space for a young family. Our challenge was to create an exciting yet functional family home that reflected our client’s preference for a sleek design aesthetic and love of the colour black.

Many Birds Can a family home be sleek and minimal? Absolutely. This project showed us that designing an architectural home for a family is about solving many, often opposing, design challenges by making a series of simple yet well considered moves.

Our clients desired a light filled family living zone that would become the heart of their home. They valued strong connections between the spaces, views to the garden and city, and well considered storage that would allow things to be packed away and spaces easily maintained.

Our design revolves around a double height void that brings light into virtually every space in the new addition. Thoughtful planning combined with bold use of materials, textures and glass are used to expand the views through each space and create a sense of volume and spaciousness.

This void physically and visually connects the main living, kitchen and dining room to an open first floor landing, main bedroom, terrace and study area. Essential Black 2018 Trends International Design Award for Best Australian Architect Designed Kitchen Our client loved the idea of incorporating black into their kitchen.

We loved the idea of exploring black as a way of creating a dramatic backdrop for the presentation of feature elements and objects – a perpetual blank canvas. The result was a singular black kitchen wall incorporating all the cabinetry, appliances, benchtops and splashbacks.

In front of the ‘canvas’ a custom designed marble & timber island bench is designed as a communal gathering space within the kitchen. To the side, a wall of timber conceals an appliance bay, fridges, pantry storage, and access through to a utility room with an external service entrance. Beautiful, functional and in every way a family home.

A photographic representation of the exterior design of the Black House's frontal facade, captured from a different perspective in closer proximity.
A photographic representation of the exterior design of the Black House’s frontal facade, captured from a different perspective in closer proximity.
A photograph showcasing the outdoor timber deck area of the house, emphasizing the envelope of vertical fir wood slats that serve as a light filter.
A photograph showcasing the outdoor timber deck area of the house, emphasizing the envelope of vertical fir wood slats that serve as a light filter.
An image that portrays the dining area, highlighting the seamless connectivity between spaces and the garden views.
An image that showcases the dining area, emphasizing the seamless connection with the living area.
An image that showcases the dining area, emphasizing the seamless connection with the living area.
An image that captures the dining area, emphasizing the seamless connectivity it shares with the adjacent kitchen area.
A close-up photograph that features the black dining table set, framed by the backdrop of the living area's interior with a highlight on the black cabinetry.
A close-up photograph that features the black dining table set, framed by the backdrop of the living area’s interior with a highlight on the black cabinetry.
An image that showcases the interior design of the kitchen area.
An image that showcases the interior design of the kitchen area.
This is a photograph of the interior of a kitchen that showcases a striking black wall that integrates all the cabinetry, appliances, benchtops, and splashbacks. Also features a bespoke island bench crafted from a combination of exquisite marble and timber materials.
This is a photograph of the interior of a kitchen that showcases a striking black wall that integrates all the cabinetry, appliances, benchtops, and splashbacks. Also features a bespoke island bench crafted from a combination of exquisite marble and timber materials.
This is an interior photograph that showcases a generously sized sliding glass door that opens up to an outdoor deck area.
This is an interior photograph that showcases a generously sized sliding glass door that opens up to an outdoor deck area.
This pathway serves as a guiding route that connects the indoor living space to the outdoor area seamlessly.
This pathway serves as a guiding route that connects the indoor living space to the outdoor area seamlessly.
The photograph captures the ambiance of the bedroom space, highlighting how the white color palette creates a calming and serene environment.
The photograph captures the ambiance of the bedroom space, highlighting how the white color palette creates a calming and serene environment.
The photograph offers a glimpse of how the open roof design creates a bright and inviting ambiance by allowing natural light to illuminate the space.
The photograph offers a glimpse of how the open roof design creates a bright and inviting ambiance by allowing natural light to illuminate the space.
This is an image depicting the interior of a bathroom that showcases a solitary basin sink, a bathtub, and a shower area.
This is an image depicting the interior of a bathroom that showcases a solitary basin sink, a bathtub, and a shower area.

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Jon Dykstra
Jon Dykstra

Jon practiced law before launching his online publishing career, bringing analytical rigor to everything he builds. Home Stratosphere combines that precision with a lifelong obsession with residential design — architecture, interiors, landscape, and furniture.

His current focus is AI-driven design analysis, using artificial intelligence to study patterns in color, layout, and material choice across thousands of homes. His Personality Type Home Design Guide applies personality frameworks to interior aesthetics, helping readers design spaces that reflect how they actually think and live.

His favorite piece on the site is the 25 Most Popular Designs, is a daily-updated ranking of the top designs over the last 30 days, driven entirely by visitor activity. The feedback is invaluable for understanding what resonates most with readers. LinkedIn

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