transform an interwar villa in by drawing on both 1930s Art Deco interiors and their client’s covetable collection of contemporary art.
With the number of notable artworks that adorn its walls, it should be no surprise that Villa Glen is the home of a successful Melbourne-based art advisor and curator. The art connoisseur engaged local studio to design a home that would accommodate her collection while serving the needs of her family of five. “It was a privilege to work with someone who shared the same visual sensibility, and who was passionate about both art and design,” Lucy says.
Painting by Prudy Hicks
A Heritage Revival
Coupled with the client’s appreciation for art and design was her appreciation for history; “she understood that she was a custodian of a grand old building that warranted a respectful approach,” Lucy says. Originally built in the 1930s, Villa Glen had sustained two major renovations before Lucy Clemenger Architects intervened – both of which lacked proper consideration for its heritage. Thus, introducing materials and features that referenced the home’s history while still representing a clear departure from the original fabric took precedence.
This project is one of the first for Lucy Clemenger Architects as a studio (commencing in 2016) and forms part of a series of heritage revivals in the Melbourne area. It embodies the studio’s careful use of space and materials to create a highly functional contemporary family home.
The brief called for open-plan, entertainment-orientated spaces which seamlessly connected to the garden. Wall sculpture by Alex Seton; paintings by Del Kathryn Barton and Chris Wake.
Cote D’Azur marble benchtops and Dulux natural white joinery contrast with rich timber joinery and a pink accent cabinet in the Villa Glen kitchen. Also pictured: Tractor stools, a monochrome rug, the and tapware.
The Palette
The home’s colourful and opulent material palette takes cues from 1930s interiors, particularly prominent Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier’s theories around colour and their different effects. The colours impart a harmonious feel to the spaces, with materials ranging from marble, timber veneer, brass, tiles and various textiles. , with pieces like Sally Gabori’s ‘My Country’ and Kathryn Del Barton’s ‘If You Leave with Me’ animating their surroundings.
Space Spotlight: The Sitting Room
The heritage house was carefully replanned to include a spacious new kitchen, family room, home office and – what Lucy names as her favourite part of the home – a vibrant sitting room adjoining the dining room with double french doors, a stone fireplace and baby blue walls. “It is a delightful room that tells the story of the home; a robust heritage structure layered with warm interior materials and details,” Lucy says. The delicate glass artwork that hangs above the fireplace, ‘Ho! Keum River’ by Lee Kyoung-Hwa adds a tranquil feel to the space – accentuated by the glass chandelier that hangs from the ceiling.
The view from the entrance into the kitchen; artwork by and Zhang Dali; .
The dining space features the , Mattiazzi Osso chairs, IOI wall mirror and a rug. Ceramics by Dinosaur Designs; painting by Guy Maestri; sculpture by Miki Taira and Kaws.
The sitting room, Lucy’s favourite room in the house, features a custom deep-green sofa by stylist Natalie James, along with an assortment of furniture – some antique, some contemporary – and objects. Artwork by and Lee Kyoung-Hwa.
The fireplace is set in Cote D’Azur marble and brass; a custom design by Lucy Clemenger Architects.
The Dandy armchair
Painting by Jochen Pankrath, with a custom green velvet bedhead to match and throw blanket.
Lucy Clemenger Architects have taken an experimental approach to the bathrooms, coating them in colourful glossy tiles. Pink and white tiles by Byzantine Design; blue tiles by .
The ensuite bathroom features the Barcelona freestanding bath.
The client’s home office was a new addition to the home.
The entrance features the Reclining Figure rug designed by , Meshmatics chandelier and a stair runner. sculpture by Lee Chin-fai Danny.
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