Steely Interventions Finish Off This Renovated Family Home in Australia

Houses We Love: Every day we feature a remarkable space submitted by our community of architects, designers, builders, and homeowners. Have one to share? Post it here.

Project Details:

Location: Brunswick, Australia

Architect: Office Fora / @office.fora

Footprint: 1,625 square feet

Builder: Nook Construction

Structural Engineer: Keith Long & Associates

Photographer: Tom Ross / @tomross.xyz

From the Architect: "The project explores the dialogue between industrial and domestic architecture on a corner site in Brunswick. The themes of reuse, economy of construction, and doing more with less are central to the design approach, where site and budget constraints became opportunities for invention. The project repositions a dark and cramped cottage with little connection to the garden into a light-filled, spacious home for a young family connected to the landscape and the neighborhood. The two-story addition creates a new urban presence that mediates between the historic cottages and industrial buildings, enriching the neighborhood’s architectural narrative while respecting its unique character. Windows along the street and rear facades provide glimpses of activity within, creating a dialogue between private and public life.

"The design carefully negotiates multiple contextual relationships. The rhythmic board-and-batten facades and angled roofline extend the language of the existing building while responding to the scale of buildings along both streets. Industrial elements like galvanized steel awnings reference neighboring workshops, complicating the domestic character of the exterior. Oversize windows proportionally echo the existing double-hung windows, subtly signaling the building’s evolution. A new living space opens directly onto the garden. Entrance glazing spills light into a widened gallery hallway with views of the garden beyond. The pairing of upstairs rooms supports a range of uses, which enjoy views over Brunswick rooftops through a glazed screen running along the stair void. The bathroom’s practical division allows simultaneous use, where robust yet delicate bath and basin furniture sit within a tiled room, with hues that mirror surrounding factories.

"Close collaboration with builders and fabricators was essential to the project’s success. Industrial fabricators adapted standard processes to create bespoke elements like the galvanized steel stair, stainless-steel kitchen island, and bathroom furniture. These collaborations yielded elements that are both pragmatic and refined, maintaining manufacturing authenticity while achieving sophisticated design outcomes.

"Built during COVID, the project exemplifies doing more with less. Budget constraints became opportunities for invention in the design and construction. Raw material expressions and exposed construction processes, such as weld lines, exposed steel connections, and stainless-steel carcasses without linings, eliminated superfluous finishes while creating an architectural character rooted in its place.

"The project prioritizes longevity through flexible spaces and robust materials used in their natural state. Locally sourced timber plywood flooring provides warmth and durability while remaining economical. Existing and new rooms accommodate a multitude of uses and are deliberately lacking in built-in joinery, providing flexibility as the family’s needs shift. Upgraded insulation and glazing throughout the existing home, and a large solar array powering heat pump systems, ensure year-round comfort with minimal environmental impact."