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Issue 59 - The Life Outside Issue

Issue 59

The Life Outside Issue

Introducing the Life Outside issue of Habitus magazine. With life increasingly being absorbed into a digital space, there is never a more important moment to hold something tangible. In this context, the power of nature to have a physiological impact on our sense of wellbeing has never been more important. So how can we cultivate the benefits of the our natural environment in the most intimate of places – our homes? This was the question that helped to bring this issue of Habitus to life.

A Product of

Kennon.Studios Fuses Old With New In Melbourne
HomesAmy Ng

Kennon.Studios Fuses Old With New In Melbourne

Australia

Designed by Kennon.Studios and styled by Manuela Millan, this residence gets a modern makeover with respect to existing Spanish-mission style features.


While designing a house, more often than not, architects and designers get lost in the process of trying to create a grand architectural statement. However, as seen in Spanish Mission House by the Melbourne-based design firm, Kennon.Studios,  the eclecticism evident by mixing old styles with modern tastes can amplify simple pleasures within a home.

When Glen Murcutt said, “the important thing is that we address the issues, we address the landscape, we address the brief, we address the place… if we address those things and do them rationally and poetically at the same time, we must be getting somewhere,” he was referring to the capabilities of design, particularly design that can enrich lifestyles. Spanish Mission House does just that; it reflects the client’s lifestyle and the era in which the house was built, all while establishing an identity that surpasses the norm.

Spanish Mission House Kennon.Studios CC Caitlin Mills house entrance door details
Spanish Mission House Kennon.Studios CC Caitlin Mills open plan kitchen dining dark floor boards white wall

A renovation that can only be summarised as a new wave of modern abstraction and historical fiction, Spanish Mission House is a holistic and powerful project outcome. Brought to fruition as the result of a long-standing friendship between the occupant and Pete Kennon of Kennon.Studios, the house truly captures the quintessence of the clients’ personality.

Built during the 1900s, the house was recently purchased in an extremely poor condition. The lack of spatial articulation did not pose as an obstacle; in fact, the design team at Kennon.Studios saw it as an opportunity to revamp the house with architecture and design that is evocative of the era without being historical. Utilising the remnants of colonial style Californian architecture influenced by Spanish missionaries during the 19th century, the design team used simple materials and geometric forms to contrast with light, neutral and dark wood furnishings. The restrained, bare-white exterior hence contrasts starkly with the interior, especially with dark timber floorboards and furniture.

Spanish Mission House Kennon.Studios CC Caitlin Mills dining table quirky paintings
Spanish Mission House Kennon.Studios CC Caitlin Mills artwork shelf minimalistic

White interior walls posed as a canvas for the client’s artwork. Complementing the colourless backdrop to create an atmosphere that feels fluid and spacious, Kennon.Studios also included a study with colourful and thoughtful paintings from the client’s portfolio.

Carrying a sense of delicacy that is rare to Melbourne’s homes, Kennon.Studios continues the ‘lightness’ by stripping back north-facing walls to overcome the existing awkward flooring arrangements. Opening up the flow between living and kitchen areas through arched doorways also nods to the buildings past while allowing the dining area to be the house’s focal point. With an ability to easily transform into a formal or casual space, the dining table accommodates for any anticipated activity the client may require.

A truly logical expression of its occupant’s needs, contents, function and setting the Spanish Mission House poetically shows that good architecture and interior design can be achieved simply by addressing the issues, the brief, the landscape and the place.

Kennon.Studios
kennon.com.au

Meanwhile In Melbourne
meanwhileinmelbourne.com

Photography by Caitlin Mills

Styling and Art Direction by Manuela Millan of Meanwhile In Melbourne

Dissection Information
White and Pepper Matte porcelain from Maximum Porcelain Sheets
Terrazzo Stone Tiles by Gibonacci
Basin from Omvivo
Sunny Led Down Lights from Reggiani
Tacchini Sesann Armchair from Stylecraft
LEN Lehenga Side Table from Stylecraft
Semper Vase by Dale Hardiman for Artedomus New Volumes
Spomenik II by Marsha Golemac for Artedomus New Volumes
Hemera from Ross Gardam for Artedomus New Volumes

Spanish Mission House Kennon.Studios CC Caitlin Mills horizontal window panes and arched doorway
Spanish Mission House Kennon.Studios CC Caitlin Mills arched doorway
Spanish Mission House Kennon.Studios CC Caitlin Mills bathroom tiles texture
Spanish Mission House Kennon.Studios CC Caitlin Mills bathroom shower and tub texture detail
Spanish Mission House Kennon.Studios CC Caitlin Mills spanish mission style exterior

We also think you might like Mosman Residence by Daniel Boddam


About the Author

Amy Ng

Tags

Caitlin MillsDale HardimanGibonacciHameraKennon.StudiosManuela MillanMarsha GolemacMaximum Porcelain SheetsOmvivoPete Kennon


Related Projects
Issue 59 - The Life Outside Issue

Issue 59

The Life Outside Issue

Introducing the Life Outside issue of Habitus magazine. With life increasingly being absorbed into a digital space, there is never a more important moment to hold something tangible. In this context, the power of nature to have a physiological impact on our sense of wellbeing has never been more important. So how can we cultivate the benefits of the our natural environment in the most intimate of places – our homes? This was the question that helped to bring this issue of Habitus to life.

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