“Ruckers Hill House” by Studio Bright features a “periscope”. Picture: Rory Gardiner
Innovative houses in Melbourne’s inner north — one of which is crowned with a “periscope” — have emerged ahead of hundreds of other Aussie homes to win prestigious architecture awards.
The two remarkable renovations in Northcote and Fitzroy North took out three of the 10 categories at the 2020 Houses Awards.
But the pads were pipped by a restored “ramshackle 1970s-era house” in the Gold Coast suburb of Miami for the top gong of Australian House of the Year.
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“Cantala Avenue House” by ME on the Gold Coast has been named Australian House of the Year. Picture: Christopher Frederick Jones
“Cantala Avenue House” was described as a “contemporary reinterpretation of the traditional beach shack”. Picture: Christopher Frederick Jones
“Cantala Avenue House”, by architecture firm ME, beat 372 entries to take home the nation’s premier residential architecture prize in the 10th year of the awards run by magazine Houses.
A jury comprising esteemed architects and Architecture Media editorial director Katelin Butler lauded the project as a “contemporary reinterpretation of the traditional beach shack” that “calls on us to reflect on what is truly important and what we essentially need to live well”.
The Gold Coast residence also tied with Northcote’s “Ruckers Hill House” to win the best house “alteration and addition under 200sq m” category.
“Ruckers Hill House” was an equal winner in the best house “alteration and addition under 200sq m” category. Picture: Rory Gardiner
Inside “Ruckers Hill House”. Picture: Rory Gardiner
The “Ruckers Hill House” project involved adapting an Edwardian house. Picture: Rory Gardiner
The Northcote project, by architecture firm Studio Bright, involved restoring and enlarging an Edwardian residence, including by adding new living spaces in a separate garden pavilion.
Jurors described it as “an intriguing alteration and addition” to a period home that “sends a periscope first floor up to take the measure of Melbourne’s ever-changing skyline”.
Other design features highlighted by the jury included a floating metal staircase and “theatrical curtains” used to separate rooms.
“Theatrical curtains” used to separate rooms in the Northcote house. Picture: Rory Gardiner
Jurors described the Northcote project as “intriguing”. Picture: Rory Gardiner
Victoria’s other award winner, “Fitzroy North House 02” by Rob Kennon Architects, took out two categories: best new house under 200sq m and best house in a heritage context.
Jurors noted the new house in a “street full of heritage terrace houses” blended in beautifully thanks to its worker’s cottage-style facade.
Behind it lies a two-storey modernist structure made of concrete, glass and steel, that’s “bathed in sunlight” from two courtyards and a “quasi-terrarium”.
“Fitzroy North House 02” by Rob Kennon Architects looks like a period house, but is actually new. Picture: Derek Swalwell
The Fitzroy North property was deemed best new house under 200sq m and best house in a heritage context. Picture: Derek Swalwell
A total of 80 Victorian projects were shortlisted across all the awards’ categories.
A mix of New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australian projects won the remaining categories.
When naming winners, the jurors took into account how the architecture responded to, or helped negate, crises including climate change and COVID-19, how it contributed to its streetscape and suburb, and how it reflected and shaped Australians’ lifestyles.
They also considered whether the projects were “liveable and functional as well as beautiful”, and innovative and “ambitious in design”.
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“Fitzroy North House 02” is filled with natural light. Picture: Derek Swalwell
The house was one of 80 Victorian projects shortlisted across the categories. Picture: Derek Swalwell
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