A visual depiction of the outdoor area showcasing a spacious and engaging courtyard that spans the entire width of the property.

Architect: Steffen Welsch Architects Pty Ltd
Location: Fitzroy North, Victoria, Australia
Builder: Lee Gordon Builder
Engineer: Brock Consulting
Building Surveyor: Metro Building Surveying
Energy Rater: Lid Consulting
Project Year: 2011 – 2014
Photographs: Shannon Mcgrath

A photographic representation capturing the front elevation of the house, highlighting the distinctive architectural design of the house.
A photographic representation capturing the front elevation of the house, highlighting the distinctive architectural design of the house.
A focused visual of the front exterior of the house, providing a comprehensive view of the gable roofline and charcoal brick façade, highlighting intricate design details.
A focused visual of the front exterior of the house, providing a comprehensive view of the gable roofline and charcoal brick façade, highlighting intricate design details.
An up-close and concentrated view of the front exterior of the house, showcasing the design of its main entry door.
An up-close and concentrated view of the front exterior of the house, showcasing the design of its main entry door.
A photograph emphasizing a specific element of the house's exterior design, highlighting the timber wall cladding material utilized in the construction.
A photograph emphasizing a specific element of the house’s exterior design, highlighting the timber wall cladding material utilized in the construction.
A visual representation capturing the exterior of the house, specifically showcasing the two separate entry points leading to different parts of the property.
A visual representation capturing the exterior of the house, specifically showcasing the two separate entry points leading to different parts of the property.
A photograph displaying the exterior of a particular section of the house, with an open entry door offering a glimpse of the interior space beyond.
A photograph displaying the exterior of a particular section of the house, with an open entry door offering a glimpse of the interior space beyond.
A visual representation capturing the exterior of the courtyard, highlighting the timber deck area.
A visual representation capturing the exterior of the courtyard, highlighting the timber deck area.

 

A photographic depiction of a specific part of the house's exterior, showcasing an open entry door that provides a partial view of the interior space beyond.
A photographic depiction of a specific part of the house’s exterior, showcasing an open entry door that provides a partial view of the interior space beyond.
A photographic depiction of a specific part of the house's exterior, showcasing an open entry door that provides a partial view of the interior space beyond.
A photographic depiction of a specific part of the house’s exterior, showcasing an open entry door that provides a partial view of the interior space beyond.
A photograph or visual representation showcasing the interior of a lengthy hallway adorned with artworks and picture frames hanging along the walls.
A photograph or visual representation showcasing the interior of a lengthy hallway adorned with artworks and picture frames hanging along the walls.
A photograph capturing the interior design of the dining area, highlighting its seamless integration with the adjacent outdoor area.
A photograph capturing the interior design of the dining area, highlighting its seamless integration with the adjacent outdoor area.
A photograph showcasing a lengthy hallway adorned with artworks and picture frames hanging along the walls, leading to the dining area.
A photograph showcasing a lengthy hallway adorned with artworks and picture frames hanging along the walls, leading to the dining area.
A photograph taken from a perspective vantage point, capturing the interior of a space.
A photograph taken from a perspective vantage point, capturing the interior of a space.
A photograph capturing the interior of the kitchen area, providing a partial view of other sections of the house in the background.
A photograph capturing the interior of the kitchen area, providing a partial view of other sections of the house in the background.
The photograph showcases the kitchen's interior and highlights an open door located at the photo's end that leads to a distinct section of the house.
The photograph showcases the kitchen’s interior and highlights an open door located at the photo’s end that leads to a distinct section of the house.
A photograph that captures the interior of the kitchen area, showcasing its interior design.
A photograph that captures the interior of the kitchen area, showcasing its interior design.
A close-up shot that features a cat walking across the kitchen's floor, which is situated next to a white wall.
A close-up shot that features a cat walking across the kitchen’s floor, which is situated next to a white wall.
A photo has been captured from the library room, displaying its open door that provides a view of the kitchen.
A photo has been captured from the library room, displaying its open door that provides a view of the kitchen.
An interior shot has been taken of the bedroom, showcasing its open door that provides a view of the outside.
An interior shot has been taken of the bedroom, showcasing its open door that provides a view of the outside.
A photograph has been taken that showcases the wooden wall design of a bedroom.
A photograph has been taken that showcases the wooden wall design of a bedroom.
An interior shot has been taken of the bathroom area, highlighting its open door that provides a view of the courtyard.
An interior shot has been taken of the bathroom area, highlighting its open door that provides a view of the courtyard.
An interior shot of the bathroom area, highlighting its glass door that is closed but allows for a view of the courtyard.
An interior shot of the bathroom area, highlighting its glass door that is closed but allows for a view of the courtyard.
Floor plan view of the house.
Floor plan view of the house.

House in House is an exploration of site boundary as limiter; as house not as an insertion in the landscape, but the boundary, the site’s physical constraints, as frame to both internal and external spaces, as form and void. We pushed this idea through the spatial planning of the site, creating an array of spaces arranged along a central spine.

House in House is a new build in a streetscape with significant heritage value. Our idea was that the home be an ‘uneasy fit’ within the street, creating a dialogue, an ongoing easy tension, with its predominantly federation style neighbors. This idea drove the building form and expression. We opted for a reinterpreted gable roofline and charcoal brick façade. House in House is noticed not on first, but second glance.

House in House contains five distinct internal pavilions or houses:

  1. Working;
  2. guest sleeping;
  3. occupants sleeping;
  4. kitchen/dining; and
  5. lounge/library.

Marysville House by Steffen Welsch Architects

  1. retreat courtyard;
  2. library courtyard; and
  3. full width, entertaining courtyard.

Our clients desired a unique home offering clearly separate spaces for home office, or guest accommodation, or library. It needed to express the couple’s contrasting ideas and aesthetic preferences. Each of the pavilions or houses therefore has discrete functions, and each individual house is linked through the main axis, doubling as both circulation spine and gallery for the couple’s extensive art collection.

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