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Back in 2002, when Zen Architects first designed this Fitzroy North home, the project became a pioneering example of environmentally conscious, inner-city residential architecture.
The Melbourne property was so ahead of its time that the current owners, Scott and Loci, purchased the house 20 years later for its impressive sustainable features and ‘modernist Japanese inspired design’, including a continuously filled and filtered bath.
The couple loved the home’s existing use of natural materials, but the property lacked storage, and elements of the early 2000s interiors were beginning to date.
Instead of bold red and black accents, they desired a warmer, mid-century-inspired palette to enhance the already extensive use of timber and natural stone throughout the home.
DKO were engaged to bring Scott and Loci’s vision to life.
‘Throughout the space, we didn’t want to start new, but rather continue the principles inherent in the original architecture to create a living, breathing interior,’ explains Isabel Munro, senior associate at DKO.
‘These choices weren’t frivolous — they were deliberate decisions that honour the home’s character.’
The architects developed a narrative for the renovation focusing on three key pillars: ‘patina,’ ‘soulful,’ and ‘at ease.’ As a result, the interior almost takes a step back, and the garden becomes the focal point.
‘Natural materials in their purest form — uncoated brass, hand-glazed tiles from Japan, locally crafted terrazzo, and Australian timbers — create a calm canvas that allows the garden views to take centre stage,’ says Isabel.
‘The finishes themselves will also age, change, and patina — telling the stories of the new owners.’
The addition of blackbutt timber veneer cladding and Tasmanian oak shelves to the large, curving (and previously silver) living room wall has further transformed the feel of the communal spaces from sleek and industrial, to welcoming and refined.
The garden — established in tandem with the original house — has always been one of the most special features of this property. Originally designed and constructed by Damon Fuhrer Landscapes, and recently updated by Terra Flora Eco Designs, this outdoor space occupies more than half of the prime inner-city block to harmonise with the Japanese-inspired architecture.
Winding paths lead through a calming urban oasis, which includes a fish pond and waterfall, interspersed with sculptural bamboo and tropical greenery.
Japanese influences flow into the bathhouse, which has undergone cosmetic renovations by DKO to replace a monochrome material palette with soothing green tiles and brass tapware.
The mosaic tiled bath allows bathing in solar-heated water, which only requires changing once a year thanks to an innovative filtered and aerated system.
Post renovations by DKO, the structural elements of this home — from the facade to the stacked Castlemaine stone feature wall — remain almost untouched. The property has instead been sensitively updated to align with Scott and Loci’s taste and needs.
‘The elements that were tired or dated were replaced with new, but because the original design philosophy was honoured, they look completely at ease with the original surroundings,’ says Isabel.
New features and materials, such as the uncoated brass top kitchen island bench, are designed to literally reflect the property’s life and the memories created by Scott and Loci as it ages.
‘The surface glows wonderfully and we’re already enjoying how the brass patinas, tracing the stories of all our cooking and cocktails,’ says Scott.
Isabel adds, ‘Scott and Loci equally value socialising with friends and family as they do with seeking privacy and reenergising in a calm space. This place can now move with ease between these two modes.’
An edited version of this story originally appeared in Issue 02 of The Design Files Magazine. Get your copy here!
