BLOXAS: Profile House

Profile House by BLOXAS When a client approached Anthony Clarke, the principle of Black Line One X Architecture Studio to redesign and extend his Melbourne home, the brief was clear - to achieve 'a feeling of openness, lightness, and visual continuity throughout their home and landscape'. As a result of an inclusive dialogue between all consultants, builders, architects and the client, here comes the Profile House - a compact, economical and very livable space. The house is located in Melbourne's semi-industrial inner northern suburb of Brunswick East. Seeking an addition to their typically dark 1920s Californian Bungalow, the clients emphasized the sustainable performance of their future home. The overall design strengthens family engagement and visual communication, reinforcing the relationships between space and activity. The key element of the design is the form of the building's western elevation. Rough-sawn Victorian Ash timber planks unmistakably define the house's profile and boundary wall, also providing the inspiration for its name and delivering on the brief of a secure building. The character of each internal space is defined by the high undulating ceilings. These, together with a central wharf-decking courtyard and smaller light-well to the west, allow natural light to penetrate throughout the entire layout. In addition to dependable design strategies such as careful plan orientation and cross ventilation, solar hot water and water harvesting systems were also included, as well as the use of north facing thermal mass in the main living space. Words: Thisispaper Photography: Courtesy of BLOXAS