Houzz Tour: A Concrete House With an Easy Flow
This family home in Melbourne, Australia, accommodates busy mornings, children’s activities and entertaining
Rebecca Gross
May 22, 2016
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design, and I study cultural history through the lens of architecture, design and visual culture. I have a Masters in the History of Decorative Arts and Design from Parsons The New School for Design, New York. My latest book is called "Ornament is not a crime: Contemporary Interiors with a postmodern twist."
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design,... More
Zoning, the division of spaces by use or users, has become increasingly important in residential architecture. In many homes, the traditional sleeping and living zones are supplemented with entertainment, outdoor and children’s zones to make living easier, more efficient and more comfortable.
This is certainly the case in the concrete edifice known as No. 328 Wolseley, in Brighton, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. Here, layout and spatial flow have been planned for the way Nick and Anna McKimm, along with their three young children, use and share space. “The layout and flow embrace the living spaces, private spaces and external areas seamlessly with an unconscious sense of connectivity for the inhabitants,” says Nick, founder and director of mckimm residential design.
This is certainly the case in the concrete edifice known as No. 328 Wolseley, in Brighton, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. Here, layout and spatial flow have been planned for the way Nick and Anna McKimm, along with their three young children, use and share space. “The layout and flow embrace the living spaces, private spaces and external areas seamlessly with an unconscious sense of connectivity for the inhabitants,” says Nick, founder and director of mckimm residential design.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Nick and Anna McKimm, their three children and border collie, Boo
Location: Brighton, Victoria, Australia
Size: Four bedrooms, five bathrooms plus en suite
Designer: Lorenzo Garizio of mckimm residential design
Who lives here: Nick and Anna McKimm, their three children and border collie, Boo
Location: Brighton, Victoria, Australia
Size: Four bedrooms, five bathrooms plus en suite
Designer: Lorenzo Garizio of mckimm residential design
No. 328 Wolseley is in a neighborhood characterized by conservative homes. With a bright blue mural by Lucas Grogan painted on the outside wall, this home stands apart from the rest.
One solid concrete wall of the house abuts a lane used by locals, and the colouful Grogan mural is seen by those passing the house. As a tribute to Anna’s much-loved mother, the mural is inscribed with the words “linger longer,” one of her favorite sayings.
One solid concrete wall of the house abuts a lane used by locals, and the colouful Grogan mural is seen by those passing the house. As a tribute to Anna’s much-loved mother, the mural is inscribed with the words “linger longer,” one of her favorite sayings.
The home has an inward-looking view centered around a pool and garden zone that can be seen from the entry. The layout enhances the depth and symmetry of the structure, offers privacy, and optimizes the northwestern orientation.
The three-level house was designed by mckimm’s principal architect, Lorenzo Garizio. Four bedrooms, three bathrooms and an en suite are on the top level, and two living areas, kitchen, bathroom, gym and steam room are on the ground floor. A chill-out space for the kids is in the basement, along with a bar, cellar, media area, bathroom and terrace.
This layout and spatial flow have been designed to bring the family of five together in the main living room and kitchen, while giving everyone the flexibility to go their own way. “By using zoned areas with interaction between spaces and each other,” Nick says, “the design responds to the daily lives and routines of the family.”
This layout and spatial flow have been designed to bring the family of five together in the main living room and kitchen, while giving everyone the flexibility to go their own way. “By using zoned areas with interaction between spaces and each other,” Nick says, “the design responds to the daily lives and routines of the family.”
On the ground floor, the kitchen, dining and living areas wrap around the terrace and pool. The kitchen is centrally located “as the heart of the home,” Nick says, “allowing dining, living and outdoor entertaining spaces to be easily serviced.” And with full-height glass doors and direct access from each area, this space has the feel of an open pavilion.
The kitchen island brass glimmers against a backdrop of dark wood cabinetry. Garizio says the unsealed counter was designed to patinate, or age and wear, as everyday use gives texture to its surface.
“La Pera” artwork: Enzo Mari via Luke Furniture
“La Pera” artwork: Enzo Mari via Luke Furniture
Three brightly colored doors adjacent to the kitchen cabinetry conceal the children’s lockers. “The children chose the colors,” Nick says. The doors bear the initial of each child.
HS650 stools: Hunt Furniture
HS650 stools: Hunt Furniture
“The main living area is where we spend our time together as a family. It’s a beautiful, warm room, with lots of natural light, high timber-lined ceilings, a wood-burning fireplace and full-height steel windows,” Nick says. The space is inviting, comfortable and relaxing, with warm materials tempering the rawness of the perfectly honed concrete. The steel-framed windows, oak paneling, fabrics, lighting and rugs contribute to a minimal decor that has a contemporary Scandinavian feel.
Lean floor light: Great Dane Furniture; American oak boards in matte finish: Big River
Lean floor light: Great Dane Furniture; American oak boards in matte finish: Big River
Vast expanses of glass take advantage of Melbourne’s changing light, as do airy ceilings and the L-shaped plan of the living area. “Natural light filters in from every angle,” Nick says. “From expansive glazing covered with sheers in the dining area to slim envelopes of light, such as clerestory windows, steel-pivot windows in the living area and a circular window in the main bathroom.”
No. B9 Le Corbusier dining chairs: Thonet; Under the Bell pendant light: Iskos-Berlin via Muuto
No. B9 Le Corbusier dining chairs: Thonet; Under the Bell pendant light: Iskos-Berlin via Muuto
The more formal — but still comfortable and relaxed —second living area features a second mural by Grogan.
Togo modular settee and Pebble low coffee tables: Ligne Roset via Domo; Cyrus rug: Amir Aligorgi collection, Behruz Studio
Togo modular settee and Pebble low coffee tables: Ligne Roset via Domo; Cyrus rug: Amir Aligorgi collection, Behruz Studio
The sense of connection between the ground-floor spaces is enhanced not only through their orientation around the outside area, but also through a consistent material and color palette. “Textures and natural materials were used in equal measure to create light-filled, warm spaces,” Nick says.
Le Bambole ‘07 sofa: B&B Italia via Space; Mews tiles: Edward Barber & Jay Osberg via Urban Edge Ceramics
Le Bambole ‘07 sofa: B&B Italia via Space; Mews tiles: Edward Barber & Jay Osberg via Urban Edge Ceramics
Upstairs, doors and windows slide back in the bedrooms to overlook the pool and courtyard. The warm and neutral color palette continues the Scandinavian feel.
TossB pendant light: Final Cut via Hub
TossB pendant light: Final Cut via Hub
In the en suite, an oculus window overlooks the side alley. Another bathroom features colorful and playful geometric tiles.
Ball pendant light: Michael Anastassiades via Hub; Fantini shower head and sink mixer faucet: Roger Seller; Raft stool: Great Dane Furniture; Laufen sink and Clearwater free-standing tub: Reece
Ball pendant light: Michael Anastassiades via Hub; Fantini shower head and sink mixer faucet: Roger Seller; Raft stool: Great Dane Furniture; Laufen sink and Clearwater free-standing tub: Reece
Downstairs, “the basement offers an entertaining retreat,” Nick says. It’s outfitted with a pingpong table, bar, cellar, drum set and media room — something for every member of the family.
You and Me pingpong table: RS Barcelona via Mobilia; Bottle floor light: Great Dane Furniture
You and Me pingpong table: RS Barcelona via Mobilia; Bottle floor light: Great Dane Furniture
The warmth and richness of the natural textures and materials continue throughout the space, as does the introspective architecture. The media room looks out to an external sunken terrace and courtyard with a tiered garden.
Blanca rug: Soumak collection, Behruz Studio; Leimu table lamp and KS chair: Great Dane Furniture
Blanca rug: Soumak collection, Behruz Studio; Leimu table lamp and KS chair: Great Dane Furniture
Order, symmetry and crisp lines are integral to the aesthetic of the exterior spaces. Off-form concrete is rendered in light gray, and complemented by teak decking and boundary fencing. Full-height windows and doors frame every outlook. The alfresco area between the kitchen and pool has a built-in bluestone barbecue and outdoor dining.
Workshop pendant light: HK Living via House of Orange; Lizz chair: Kartell via Space; Landscaping: Gill’s Landscaping
Workshop pendant light: HK Living via House of Orange; Lizz chair: Kartell via Space; Landscaping: Gill’s Landscaping
The house has been designed to “provide beautiful views from all rooms to garden and pool,” Nick says. Plus, “the kids love the external play area, pool, trampoline and purpose-built basketball area.”
With highly considered planning, the architect’s home has also been designed to accommodate the various functional spaces of day-to-day life: “Busy mornings, school-time activities, task areas and recreational spaces all facilitate our desire to be at home, entertaining family and friends, and enjoying our children,” Nick says.
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I so enjoyed the earlier rousing discussion about preserving old yet unsustainable houses vs building flashy modernist ones ... Personally I like this house, especially now seeing its actual furniture. I wonder what its owner and designer made of how the house was portrayed / decorated in ABC's Upper Middle Bogan?
Photo: ABC