Wurundjeri
Victorian
Armadale House is a renovation to a gracious free-standing 2-storey Victorian house, located within a conservation area. Already a large house, the brief was about ‘tuning’ it to occupation, light and landscape. The interventions are targeted and strategic, contained largely within the existing footprint. Alterations and additions are used as the opportunity to re-order the ‘parti’; the plan and section to create a cohesive, beautiful setting for domestic life.
The design works with the existing. Extraordinary qualities of the original house are its thick walls, high skirtings and soaring ceiling heights. The section became the departure point for new architecture, unlocking the poor connection between the historic front and newer back, shaping light, and adding to the play of volume. Relationship with nature is fundamental, established gardens are curated to create a diversity of plants and spaces, editing neighbours, and helping the garden to work in unison with the architecture.
Ben Dixon, Graduate of Architecture
David Coleborne, Project Lead
Rachel Neeson, Design Director
Stephen Neille, Design Director
Fiona Brockhoff Design, Landscape Consultant
Metro Building Surveying, Building Surveyor
SDA Structures Pty Ltd, Engineer
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
