Sitting in an historic Fitzroy North neighbourhood is House in House by Steffen Welsch Architects. Inside and out, it's a surprising alternative to its dark row house neighbours.
"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 neighbours." — Steffen Welsh Architects
Array of Small Houses
The key design decision was to develop the house as an array of small houses that are held together by a central circulation spine, similar to a row of houses on both sides of a street. House in House contains five distinct internal pavilions or houses and three courtyards or voids.
Pavilions
Each of the pavilions or houses has discrete functions, and each individual house is linked through a main axis, doubling as both circulation spine and gallery for the couple’s extensive art collection.
Courtyards
The courtyards punctuate the pavilions, drawing in natural light and ventilation. The largest courtyard frames the limits of the block and is for outdoor entertaining under a pergola. The smaller courtyards feature lush plantings, a retreat for one or two.
