Bass Coast Farmhouse, Wardle. For Herald Sun Real Estate. Picture: Wardle
An apartment with a subterranean pool and sauna, a striking farmhouse that hugs its rocky landscape, and the transformation of one of Melbourne’s oldest heritage homes are among the incredible Victorian properties vying for a gong in this year’s Houses Awards.
More than 75 properties from across the state have been shortlisted in six categories; including ‘New House over 200sq m’, and ‘House in a Heritage Context’ at the design and architecture awards, with the winners of each considered for the ‘Australian House of the Year’.
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The lavish Elsternwick Penthouse by Office Alex Nicholls in Melbourne’s inner southeast combined two apartments with a basement-level rehabilitation pool and sauna.
“Although a subterranean space with no natural light, a calming restorative experience is achieved through atmospheric indirect lighting, warm colours and natural materials,” the team said.
The architects aimed to create an environment spacious enough for an intergenerational family, at the penthouse, in the ‘Apartment or Unit’ category’ with intricate detailing and variety through colour, form and material.
On the eastern side of the Elsternwick Penthouse is the main social areas including the primary kitchen, living and dining.
Spaces were designed to accomodate a number of uses to cater for a large family.
Atmospheric indirect lighting , warm colours and natural materials were used to create a calming experience on the basement level.
In Fitzroy, the 1868 Cobden Terrace has been innovatively expanded by Matt Gibson Architecture and Design.
Following the Burra Charter principle of “doing as much as necessary but as little as possible”, which aligned with the rules of its heritage listing, the design team opened the space to enable “greater liveability”.
“The opened-up kitchen room provides a now highly functional social space for the owners to cook, entertain or work from home in this light filled space during the day,” they said.
“The newer Cobden Terrace celebrates the legacy of one of Victoria’s oldest homes whilst enabling a house full of personality and warmth.”
The heritage home has been shortlisted for ‘House Alteration and Addition under 200sq m’ and ‘House in a Heritage Context’.
‘Cobden Terrace in Fitzroy was designed under the strict guidelines of its heritage listing, so Matt Gibson Architecture and Design aimed to make minimal but impactful change.
‘Cobden Terrace’ 209-221 Gore Street, Fitzroy. For Herald Sun Real Estate
‘Cobden Terrace’ 209-221 Gore Street, Fitzroy. For Herald Sun Real Estate
Perched on Wonthaggi’s rugged coastline, Bass Coast Farmhouse, by Wardle, wraps around a central rocky courtyard.
It was built around the natural rise of the land, creating an undercroft or bunker as well as a lower level for the laundry, cellar, storeroom, outdoor kitchen and dining areas.
Many Houses Awards contenders were mindful of their environmental impact during their builds, with the Wardle team selecting materials that were “naturally durable and sustainable”.
“Rich timber, fine quality ceramics, light fittings and furniture plus the respect for the environment all contribute to an experience beyond the ordinary,” they said.
The farmhouse is in the running for ‘New House Over 200sq m’.
Bass Coast Farmhouse has views of the countryside, coast and courtyard.
The rugged, uneven land defines the undercroft.
Rich timber and fine quality ceramics are consistent throughout the farmhouse.
Houses Awards jury chair Alexa Kempton said the quality of shortlisted work built during the pandemic, despite all of the obstacles, was “really remarkable”.
“Inventive and intelligent and creative responses to a brief … is what the jury is looking for,” Ms Kempton said.
Winners will be announced on Friday 28 July.
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sarah.petty@news.com.au