This has been an interesting project. The primary focus was on multi-generational living. From this brief Neil Cownie Architect Studio designed two separate adjacent houses.The family have strong UK connections. This influenced the external aesthetics. Their clients also wanted to embrace the great outdoors of Australia. That led to a house that was quite conservative yet, also opened up to the outdoors. It connected internal and external spaces with the use of warm materials. It next to the river and the views were all important. Almost every room has river views.The house design takes advantage of passive solar design, and cross ventilation. The two houses work together through their external spaces. The grandparents have access to their children’s house and grandchildren’s house. They can see the children at play in their cubby house cave just outside their window. They can be in their own house and watch their grandchildren at…

The ambition for 102 The Mill was to preserve the industrial and varied history of Balmain whilst creating an inspiring and generous home. It stands as an example of architecture that allows its residences to feel safe and secure, confident and expressive, quiet and reflective; a philosophy of Carter Williamson. 102 The Mill by Carter Williamson Architects, is an example of a house where considering existing buildings as an opportunity results in the impetus for designing a generous, robust, character filled home. The plan is divided into three areas, east to west: vertical circulation, a service wall, places for living freed from the plan to look outwards. This design strategy allows frequently used spaces to experience maximum amenities of light, air and openness through the north, west and south facade. Inside 102 The Mill, its past industrial life is wonderfully evident. The recycled three storey brick wall follows the staircase…

Woldon were invited to lead a renovation and sensitive redesign of the lower floors of this dilapidated Grade II Regency house in Holland Park. At the centre of a distinct classical triplet, the house presents a commanding frontage at the top of Holland Park Avenue. Woldon’s brief was to bring a fresh vision to the house, remedying a series of unsympathetic 20th century alterations and extensions. Listed Building and Planning Consent were achieved for a new rear extension, removal of awkward internal level changes and creation of a roof terrace. Internally, new openings were introduced between rooms to enhance the flow of spaces. The concept for the interior preserves valuable historic features which are complimented by new elements. Reclaimed timber floors and a palette of warm ochres, greys and greens give depth and life to the redesign, recalling Georgian colour tones. New wiring and plumbing are introduced, with discreet AV…

The Bimbadeen House by Lachlan Shepherd Architects, is designed to compliment surrounding bush by nestling into the sloping site. The simple, low-lying, protective external form contrasts its light-filled, open planned interior. Subdued, low-maintenance materials have been utilised so that the building will continue to age gracefully and settle in further with its bush context. Photography : Nic Stephens Photography See also : https://house-diaries.com/lake-joseph-cottage-a-retreat-in-contemporary-context/

This large Chelsea loft by Kimberly Peck Architect, formally a commercial space, was renovated to create a welcoming home and backdrop to our client’s collection of rugs, art and objects. Having previously owned a home decor shop our client had a lot of experience in helping others furnish their interior environments. For her own home she had a very distinct vision; “to let the space be what it is, a former commercial loft, and fill it with things, art and rugs, that make it feel like a home.” To this end the architectural goal for the space was to keep and in some cases to emphasize the industrial feel in order to contrast with the owners life collection of rugs and furnishings which would serve to create the warmth in the space. All finishes were removed from the floor and ceilings to expose the existing concrete structure. The concrete floors…

Now you have a completely unique opportunity to live in a fantastic Townhouse in the middle of Mariefred’s picturesque and idyllic city center. A home that is rarely for sale and that everyone has the right to a quality life in the middle of the city idyll. Here you live in a solidly built house spread over three floors with a very own green oasis to the rear. A unique atmosphere permeates the home thanks to all calm and harmonious material choices. There is not an inch in the house that there is not a thought behind. Everything is designed, site-built, created with love and interior design knowledge and adapted to fit right here on Nygatan 8B, a townhouse that can become your home to love as much as the Wikner family does.The house is for sale here!!! Interior Design : Marianne Wikner Photography : Malin Poppy Darcy Mörner See also :https://house-diaries.com/a-spectacular-apartment-in-black-and-white-in-goteborg/

This story begins with an old rose building on the riverside avenue of Vila Real de Santo António, a city located in the south of Portugal. The rose-house had a nice and rational facade, but the real treasure was inside. An exotic interior with details such as a mermaid painting in the ceiling of a bathroom, a multitude of patterned mosaics, detailed wooden doors and a big stone sink.It was obvious from the beginning that Aurora Arquitectos should keep and emphasize the exotic interior. The program asked for the transformation of the layout from a single house to a five apartments building and gave the studio the perfect reason to create five different environments that play with site-specific idiosyncrasies of each space. A selection of colors and materials, combined with extensive architecture details preservation and the introduction of new contemporary elements, allowed them to create five flats with distinctive personalities,…

Located on a former farmland site in Balwyn, the Kenny Street House is a unique project in that the site is a relatively large, flat site surrounded by much smaller houses in the middle of suburban Melbourne. The new house makes reference to its agricultural origins via its’ barn-like external form and its’ location towards the centre of the site, similar to the location of the original homestead. Chan Architecture Pty Ltd client’s brief was for a light-filled family home that allowed all four members of the family to interact in the one main living space but to also offer various opportunities to have spaces that allowed for activities with varying levels of privacy. There was also a strong emphasis on sustainability in that the house had to be comfortable all year round with very low energy use and to encompass passive solar principles. Photography : Tatjana Plitt See also…

This beautiful three-bedroom maisonette is located on Brondesbury Road, close to the green spaces of Queens Park and the enclave of independent shops on Salusbury Road. Bookended by its own front and back gardens, the light-filled apartment is incredibly private and enjoys verdant views from every window. It has recently undergone a thoughtful renovation, celebrating its abundant period features whilst incorporating new elements such as a contemporary kitchen. The apartment reaches a crescendo in its voluminous main living space, where incredibly high ceilings allow the tall, curved, orangery-style windows to take centre stage.This lovely maisonette in London is now for sale at Inigo. Photography : Inigo

Bankside Lofts, opposite the iconic Tate Modern building, was one of the first projects developed by the Manhattan Loft Corporation. They pioneered an unusual model, selling flats as ‘shells’ for owners to fit out themselves. YARD Architects were asked to reconfigure and update one of the apartments in the Victorian section of the building, for a couple who wanted more privacy and better entertaining space. The existing apartment had lots of character and architectural features, including three huge arched windows with steel frames overlooking Tate Modern, exposed brick, timber beams and concrete columns. Their design reinforces the architectural qualities of the space and uses robust materials that are in keeping with the industrial aesthetic of the building. They wanted to create a project which felt like it fitted with the building and would last for many years, without looking out of date. The new structure for the mezzanine is completely…

Kyneton House by MRTN Architects, is an addition to a seventies brick home located on an elevated acre site with established gardens and mature exotic trees. Simply described the addition is a main bedroom suite with associated deck for entertaining with a cover carport and workshop under. The ambition for the design however was more complex than merely the usable spaces created. The owners were looking to adapt the existing home so that they could age in place, a strategy that would provide peace of mind as they continue their stewardship of the house and significant gardens for years to come. They are deeply appreciative of the spatial and material characteristics of the original seventies house and sought to compliment rather than imitate the existing home. As keen art collectors and artists in their own right they were also interested in approaching the design as an opportunity for a sculptural…