Urban retreat Minimalism and comfort take the lead in this adobe
AN ARCHITECT AND A SCIENTIST LET MINIMALISM AND COMFORT TAKE THE LEAD IN THEIR INNER-CITY SANCTUARY
When an architect gets to create his or her dream home, the end result tends to be more than just a little impressive. Such is the case for Bo (pictured opposite) and fiancée Tang’s inner-city Melbourne dwelling, which they share with their dogs – Betty, a Staffordshire terrier, and Jedy, an Australian terrier. Architect Bo bought the house in 2010 and was immediately sold on its buzzy location. “I grew up in Beijing, China, which is very busy,” he says. “When I first came to Australia, I was living in the suburbs and really missed that hustle and bustle. I had a look at the location when this property came up and thought it was a really great place.” Another ticked box was the prized and tranquil courtyard out the back. “It’s pretty precious considering the location of the house,” he says. With his industry know-how and his love for minimalist, calm and comfortable design, Bo, the co-owner of Pitch Architecture + Developments, was determined to bring the 1980s build into the 21st century, and being his own client found him delving deeper into how he and Tang actually live. “When you renovate for yourself, it’s sometimes more difficult than doing it for a client because you have to ask yourself the questions you haven’t asked yourself before,” he says of the property’s five-month design and renovation process. “You kind of want to see it as a job, but at the same time it’s not a job.” The original property was a little rough around the edges, but Bo’s trained eye saw its potential. Once part of a warehouse, the home retains many original features, including the concrete floor and structure of the staircase. After the renovation, these were given room to shine in the modern design, which has a neutral palette, custommade wood panelling and joinery, plus state-of-the-art fittings. A ground floor with open-plan living is at the core of the property, and abundant natural light shines through thanks to an extensive overhaul of the original layout. “The kitchen used to be at the western side of the house, and blocked out the majority of the natural light into the ground floor,” says Bo. “So we essentially removed the whole kitchen and relocated it to the centre of the ground floor, which allows light in.” The location of the old kitchen now gives way to the dining room and a living area that opens up to the couple’s muchloved courtyard, also a favourite hangout for the dogs. Today, Bo and Tang’s urban oasis is complete. “We have a plan to stay here for a while,” says Bo. “We created the design to get the house ready for a potential family.”
LIVING AREA
The open-plan ground floor (top) connects to the home’s courtyard, a spot for Betty and Jedy (bottom right) to play. Bo’s mum made the grey curtains, which tie in with the overall scheme. “Our guest room was made for my mum,” explains Bo. “She spends a few months with us every year.” ‘Ike’ chairs with goat leather from Thomas Gannan and a cowhide rug from Matt Blatt bring a raw feel to the space, while indoor plants add softness. “We wanted more of a comfortable, natural feeling and a sense of the outdoors, which is why we have quite a bit of greenery in the home,” explains the architect.
“WE AVOIDED OVERHEAD CUPBOARDS THAT WOULD BLOCK THE natural light” ~ BO
WE LOVE... earthy finishes
The use of natural hues and textures with little bursts of colour in the form of indoor plants creates a calm, zen-like bathroom. “All the joinery in the house and the wall linings have the same finish to create a harmonious flow throughout,” says Bo. Visit Garden Life for chic green additions, gardenlife.com.au.
“WE TRIED TO minimise THE NUMBER OF FINISHES AND COLOURS TO MAKE THE spaces FEEL MORE OPEN” ~ BO