Clerestory House / Lai Cheong Brown

Clerestory House / Lai Cheong Brown - Exterior Photography, Windows, Door, FacadeClerestory House / Lai Cheong Brown - Interior Photography, Table, Countertop, KitchenClerestory House / Lai Cheong Brown - Interior Photography, Living Room, Windows, BrickClerestory House / Lai Cheong Brown - Image 5 of 19Clerestory House / Lai Cheong Brown - More Images+ 14

Melbourne, Australia
  • Architects: Lai Cheong Brown
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  209
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2016
  • Photographs
    Photographs:Jaime Diaz-Berrio
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Louis Poulsen, MODWOOD, Modinex, Mutina, ROYAL OAK FLOORS, Westinghouse
  • Architects In Charge: Rowan Brown, Christina Lai Cheong
  • Other Collaborators: BHS Consultants, Floreancig Smith Building Surveyors, Smart Building Concepts
  • City: Melbourne
  • Country: Australia
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Clerestory House / Lai Cheong Brown - Exterior Photography, Windows, Door, Facade
© Jaime Diaz-Berrio

Text description provided by the architects. The project focused on the re-imagining of a solid brick Inter-war heritage home as both a downsize for a retiring couple and a multi-generational home for additional members of the family. The house also needed to accommodate the gatherings of a large family cohort, many of whom live only streets away.

Clerestory House / Lai Cheong Brown - Interior Photography, Table, Countertop, Kitchen
© Jaime Diaz-Berrio

As a heritage controlled building, the design response needed to accommodate all of the expansion to the rear of the block. Externally the project repaired and refurbished the tiled roof, clinker brick façade and chimney while replacing original window joinery to a matched detail. New wrought iron gates were designed based on the motif of the original 1930’s ironwork.

Clerestory House / Lai Cheong Brown - Interior Photography, Kitchen, Lighting, Windows, Beam
© Jaime Diaz-Berrio
Clerestory House / Lai Cheong Brown - Image 18 of 19
Floor Plan

The extension is completed in a mix of re-used and recycled clinker bricks with the new living space, topped by its lantern roof, differentiated in dark blue dry pressed brickwork.

Clerestory House / Lai Cheong Brown - Image 5 of 19
© Jaime Diaz-Berrio
Clerestory House / Lai Cheong Brown - Interior Photography
© Jaime Diaz-Berrio

Internally the house provides a new interior that blends retained and refurbished heritage details with contemporary elements.

The house accommodates both a retired couple and an adult family member in connected but separate accommodation. An integrated apartment with its own bathroom, laundry and kitchen facilities is set within the house’s original master suite. The remaining sections of the house and a new extension accommodate the retired couple comfortably and with enough space to connect with the house’s other occupant and a host of nearby family when they choose to.

Clerestory House / Lai Cheong Brown - Interior Photography, Living Room, Windows, Brick
© Jaime Diaz-Berrio

 A full height walnut veneered hallway joins the original octagonal entry vestibule to the new clerestory topped open plan living and dining space, which centres the new home and provides a large light filled area to enjoy with extended family. A small snug off the main living spaces serves as a small intimate retreat for the couple day to day.

Clerestory House / Lai Cheong Brown - Exterior Photography, Windows, Brick, Facade
© Jaime Diaz-Berrio

Product Description. Timber was used throughout the project internally to add warmth and texture while drawing together the original heritage elements and more contemporary forms into a single cohesive design. As a central focal point of the project the clerestory exemplified this focus on timber with the use of pre-finished two tone Western Red Cedar lining boards, with a batten profile, helping to add both drama and warmth to this key space.

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About this office
Cite: "Clerestory House / Lai Cheong Brown" 14 Feb 2017. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/805320/clerestory-house-lai-cheong-brown> ISSN 0719-8884

© Jaime Diaz-Berrio

Clerestory 住宅 / Lai Cheong Brown

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