The suburb of Richmond, Victoria — which is set just outside the center of Melbourne, Australia — is known for its industrial history. That in itself is synonymous with stark and cold architecture, but Technē Architecture + Interior Design was determined to soften the aesthetic for a family looking to honor the area's roots.
"We wanted to achieve a sense of minimalism and openness without sacrificing the sense of warmth that is so integral to family homes," the firm's senior interior designer Jonny Mitchell said.
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The owners desired the clean lines and seemingly rough textures that fall under the industrial look, but they also asked for a home that could be a gathering place for their loved ones. So, the firm maximized the space and flexibility of the address by reconfiguring the existing floor plan, and installed full-length glass doors that allow natural light to fill a simple interior design. And since no great social house is complete without an outdoor living area, the team built two in the front and rear — including a fully-functional outdoor kitchen. "It was important to create openness and continuity between the interior and exterior spaces, allowing the home to respond flexibly to the needs of its owners," Mitchell said.
Now the property embraces the suburb's harder edges with some soft, welcoming details. "Richmond still retains many references to its past as a manufacturing hub and this set the tone for our design response," Mitchell said.
