austin maynard transforms unused lot into compact 'brickface' house in melbourne

austin maynard has completed ‘brickface’ — a compact building situated at the rear of an existing house in richmond, melbourne. the project includes a garage at ground level, studio living/guest bedroom at the first floor, and a roof deck with a pool and garden. due to rising property costs in melbourne, the clients asked the designers to create a new living space in the extra lot of their existing home. 

all images by tess kelly

the architects responded to the space constraint through a vertical and efficient design. the new pool and deck extend the family’s entertainment space and the roof terrace was transformed into a garden. the main living area of the existing house faces south and opens up onto the new terrace and pool. the backdrop to this view is the rising high wall of ‘brickface’.

the blue interiors refresh the home with a modern and young aesthetic

the project is constructed of recycled red brick, interspersed with contrasting red and blue glazed bricks to create a playful facade with a variety of patterns and color. the windows of the building, the sculptural parapet and the spiral stair contribute to the dynamic and playful character of the structure. the architects describe their project as one that ‘that looks to have existed well before the other buildings along the lane’.

interior staircase

interior bedroom

the sundeck offers views of the surrounding suburb of richmond

view of the pool from above 

the pool and spiral staircase create an inviting terrace

the roof deck provides extra space to lounge for the family

the round windows and red brick give the building a unique character

the colorful bricks create a variety of shadows and light

the building looks to have existed well before the other buildings on the lane

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project info:

architect: austin maynard architects
design architect: mark austin
floor area: 102 sqm. plus 51sqm roof deck
completion date: january 2017
builder: tcm building group
engineer: keith patrick
building surveyor: code compliance
materials: recycled red brick, red and blue glazed bricks – (rhapsody and watermelon) PGH vibrant range
paint: bathroom, dulux white. studio, dulux summer air
spiral staircase: enzie spiral stair, H series, galvanised finish