Bellemo & Cat
‘Polygreen‘ – the Northcote home of Cat Macleod and Michael Bellemo – all photographs here by Peter Hyatt
OK so today’s home is a total ‘squeezed in at the last minute’ job… I had to re-jig a couple of posts to fit it in, because this incredible house in Northcote is currently on the market and will (hopefully) be sold to a very lucky new owner in just 10 days time! So you know, I wanted to give you all time to round up the cash to make your bid on September 18th! (or, perhaps more realistically, at least pop in this weekend for a sticky-beak!)
The home is called ‘Polygreen’ and is designed by husband and wife architectural team, Bellemo & Cat (Cat Macleod and Michael Bellemo), with the goal of creating a sustainable purpose-built warehouse/container for both living and working in. This creative pair built the house 4 years ago, and live here with kids Marco (8), Flora (6) and Simpkin the cat (15yrs!). With bold green finishes and a printed translucent polycarbonate ‘skin’, it’s such a striking landmark…. and looks best at night when it seems to glow from within!
I love the acid green and citrus yellow cabinetry and interior walls… so brave! Also I love the ‘low-tech’ feel of the place – the plywood staircases and floors are inspired, yet so simple!
Polygreen has received quite a bit of press since it was built in 2007 (including a feature US Dwell magazine, ahem!), and won the AIA National Award for Small Project Architecture 2009 and the AIA Award for Residential Architecture Victorian chapter in the same year.
Bellemo & Cat and family will be sad to leave this special home behind, but are excited to move on and create another interesting architectural project for themselves! Watch this space!
Polygreen is listed here with Nelson Alexander and is open this Thursday and Saturday for inspection! (and who doesn’t love an open for inspection, really?)
Bathroom and hallway details
Plywood stairs and very interesting screening on the upper level!
