Playfully referencing the existing house vernacular, ‘s Silhouette Hytte House is a contemporary injection into the Melbourne suburb of Elwood.
Respectfully approaching context, proposed extension was designed to be a direct extrusion of the existing silhouette, hence the name; Silhouette Hytte House. Set on a narrow and restrictive allotment in Elwood, the site itself was a mere 6.1m wide and 34.4m in length, ample consideration was given to the neighbouring vegetation and trees -deterring an elaborate addition. Additional constraints such as a heritage and flood overlays created other obstructive challenges for FIGR Architecture Studio.
The resulting form by FIGR Architecture Studiois fundamentally an extension of the existing, presented in a contemporary sleeve of black metal and timber materiality. The bold volume that emerges from the outline of the prevailing home creates a volume of sorts, housing a generous living area and creating a more connected vessel between the home and the garden, and its elements. The large folding timber doors also allow for an increased control of ventilation, natural light and thermal heating.
Much akin to the renovation works of a period home, the brief entails the want for an amplified connection to the elements and between the zones internally. The 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home needed to be connected with more active open plan living, dining and kitchen zones. The addition of an integrated study and integrated joinery and storage was also key. The client’s wanted for the transition between the existing and the new to seem purposeful and seamless.
Although a contemporary palette, its restraint sees a connection to a more period home less contrasting. Internally, the use of timber, white terrazzo tiles, natural stone and contrasting laminate create a sense of robustness and longevity. The salvaging of existing red bricks from the properties shed, as pavers, injects a sense of the new and old meeting, with new purpose. The external metal cladding offers a contrast to the ship-lapped timber floorboards and other warmer timber elements.
Steeped in contextual sensitivity, Silhouette Hytte House carefully negotiates its neighbours and positions itself as a secondary volume on the site. Designed by FIGR Architecture Studio as a hidden form, this new addition changes in appearance from varying angles on the site, offering a dynamic yet playful use of the space.
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