austin maynard architects designs a vibrant and playful residential intervention in melbourne, australia. with atypical, yet subtle angles and voids, the design team meets its match in working together with its enthusiastic client — a diverse and dynamic family of five. the owners comment: ‘there are spaces to be shared and spaces for seclusion; there are levels that are split, transparent and modular; there are features that are dramatic and playful… it continues to delight our family and friends, almost as though it has its own sense of humor.’

austin maynard union house
images by derek swalwell

 

 

with its union house, austin maynard architects preserves the historic brick dutch gable of the pre-existing structure, incorporating the cottage facade into the otherwise entirely new dwelling. in this way, the project directly layers one moment of time atop another. organized within a narrow plot measuring nearly 18 feet wide, the union house fits four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a study, basement, roof deck and carport. with such restricted space, the dwelling does not feel tight and cramped as spaces merge into other with various, sometimes surprising configurations.

austin maynard union house

 

 

austin maynard blurs the volume of its union house’s rooms using height, sliding walls, voids and openings. the standard house layout of cells and corridors has been subverted. instead the spaces are defined with ramps, slopes, concealed steps, bookcases that split apart and a molded fibreglass blue bathroom. intriguing and imaginative ideas arose during client conversations, including the playful concept of an alternate route though the house. along with a black steel winding staircase, with part perforated treads, the team includes additional routes from the basement to the rooftop. a ramp, a glazed trap door, a series of climbing holds and nets enable this energetic family to climb up walls without ever interacting with the stair.

austin maynard union house austin maynard union house austin maynard union house austin maynard union house austin maynard union house austin maynard union house austin maynard union house austin maynard union house austin maynard union house austin maynard architects designs its union house in australia as a space for play austin maynard union house austin maynard union house austin maynard union house

 

 

1/7
200527 Union Media Drawings
 
200527 Union Media Drawings
 
200527 Union Media Drawings
 
200527 Union Media Drawings
 
05 Union_Austin Maynard Architects_sections & elevations
 
05 Union_Austin Maynard Architects_sections & elevations
 
05 Union_Austin Maynard Architects_sections & elevations
 

 

project info:

 

project title: union house

architecture: austin maynard architects

location: brunswick, melbourne, australia

design team: mark austin, natalie miles

builder: CBD contracting

engineer: vistek

landscape: bush projects

green roof: fytogreen

building surveyor: steve watson and partners

completion: january 2020

photography: derek swalwell