Colour has power. At Joyful House, a soft yellow (Dulux Joyful) ceiling creates a sunny, uplifting living area, even on gloomy days...
This fun and brightly coloured home is an addition to a weatherboard workers' cottage on the outskirts of Geelong.
"With the arrival of their third child, our clients asked us to open the rear of their house to provide a variety of light-filled spaces for their energetic young family", says the architect, Mihaly Slocombe. "Our intervention retains original bedrooms, adding new services and a multifunctional living room that opens onto the generous back garden."
The new addition contrasts with the original weatherboard. The new black-clad addition poking its head above the white weatherboards. From the moment you see it, you know there's something special about this addition, but it's inside that all the fun happens.
"The roof structure, ceiling and upper walls of the living room are dipped in Dulux Joyful. Careful window placement helps this bright yellow canopy bounce sunlight into every nook and cranny", explains the architect.
The steeply sloping roof creates a dramatic volume in the living area and helps it feel more spacious as well as letting in additional light. The architects have even managed to tuck a cheeky mezzanine retreat under the steep roof.
"We took extra care in selecting materials that will weather the storm of growing children: hardwood timber floors, plywood joinery and sisal carpet are warm to touch and bounce back well from wrestling matches and art days. Circular cutouts in cupboard doors are perfect for small hands and inquiring minds." - Mihaly Slocombe
Out back, a translucent fibreglass roof over the deck lets in even more sunlight and creates an all-weather outdoor area, acting more like an extension of the living room.
"Our clients’ ambitions for Joyful House were substantial, but their budget wasn’t", explain the architects. To overcome this challenge, they architects collaborated closely with the builder and local craftsmen to "keep a lid on costs". By meeting regularly during the design and documentation process and using standard construction techniques and affordable materials, the architects were able to balance economy and luxury.
With a unique and vibrant colour choice and prioritising quality of space over quantity, Mihaly Slocombe has managed to create a robust, yet uplifting home. Even on overcast days, the home's halo of yellow creates a warming, cheerful glow. It's fitting this home is called Joyful House.