Designer Choice Architecture
Industrial Neighbours see Green
This old industrial laneway in Melbourne's inner suburb of Northcote is green with envy over their new residential neighbour, Bellemo & Cat's Polygreen house.
It comes as somewhat of a surprise when one stumbles upon the iridescent, green patterned box that is Bellemo & Cat's Polygreen house. Tucked away in a gritty industrial lane-way, it is surrounded by 19th Century, graffiti-marked, brick warehouses. It is a large and gestural splash of green in an otherwise concrete and brick landscape.
While strikingly different from its neighbours, the translucent home manages to respond to the industrial setting using similar forms and materials. The façade is constructed from translucent fibreglass sheeting, printed with the green swirls, on the inner surface. Fibreglass sheeting is inexpensive, and is usually found on factory or pergola roofs.
Internally, the façade conceals a flowing, split-level family home and office. The main living space captures magnificent views and Northern light on the first level and has access to an artificial turf balcony complete with slide.
The rectilinear form and minimal fenestration on the façade mimics the neighbouring warehouses
The artificial turf and slide create a great space for the kid's play deck that is adequately shaded and protected by an extension of the fibreglass façade.
The open plan, split-level planning of the living areas creates distinct areas of use that are still adequately private. The use of 'soft-walls' like the industrial felt woven screen help to delineate the spaces further.
The home is bathed in natural light and has easy access to the outdoor turfed deck. A surreal juxtaposition is established between the old brick warehouses and the vibrant green of the deck and interior.
By peeling back the internal skin of the building, the translucent façade is revealed and creates glowing window-wall.
Images: Peter Hyatt
