pandolfini architects adapts sculptural townhouse in australia to fit large family

these townhouses in malvern east, australia tell the story of a family and examine how large suburban blocks can be adapted to deal with generational change and the rapid rise of property prices. the site was purchased in 1972 and was the long-time family home of pandolfini architects’ clients. 40 years on, the children had grown up, moved out and the original californian bungalow had fallen into disrepair. circumstances arose requiring one of the sons and his young family to move back to live with their father and the decision was made to build two homes on the site so they could all live together without actually living together.

morning shadows on the front facade
image by rory gardiner

the brief was simple; create two generous homes on the site which didn’t feel like townhouses. there were several precedents along the leafy, eastern suburb street for subdividing a block of land; side by side townhouses with front facades dominated by garages and rooms accessed off a long corridor. australian based studio pandolfini architects flipped this arrangement and located one dwelling behind the other, providing each home with large entry spaces, generous living areas and gardens oriented to the northern aspect. the front facade gives little away to the street with the new houses designed to read as a single residence, referencing the established rhythm of the streetscape.

black zinc cladding and stained black timber battens reinforce the sculptural form of the building
image by rory gardiner

a simple material palette of black zinc cladding and stained black timber battens reinforce the sculptural form of the building. patterned timber screens conceal the large front windows, providing privacy to the inhabitants and eroding the elements typically associated with a house. the two homes have been designed specifically for their inhabitants; a two-bedroom apartment at the front for the father and a larger, three-bedroom apartment for the son and his young family at the rear. elements typically associated with much larger houses have been used to provide a sense of space and in the tightly planned block.

double height entry foyer
image by derek swalwell

entry to the back apartment is via a dramatic double height foyer space, lit from above by a large circular skylight and containing a solid steel staircase. heavily textured concrete render and black timber are used on the internal walls which have been designed to slowly reveal and delineate the living spaces as one moves through the house. pandolfini’s latest residential project has successfully provided two generations with generous homes on the one site — affording them the associated social and financial benefits. the sculptural facade provides counterpoint to the adjacent townhouses and a positive contribution to the streetscape and wider neighborhood.

a large circular skylight provides the only light to the entry, creating an ever changing scene
image by derek swalwell

patterned timber screens provide privacy from the street
image by derek swalwell

kitchen opens up to north facing courtyard
image by derek swalwell

looking through the mirrored stainless steel living room reveal to the kitchen
image by derek swalwell

american oak and marble kitchen
image by derek swalwell

flamed granite bathroom
image by derek swalwell

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: apostolos costarangos | designboom