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Issue 62 - Living in the Environment Issue

Issue 62

Living in the Environment Issue

Issue 62 is the first issue of the year and always a great time to put our best foot forward. With Adam Goodrum, the loveliest man in design, as Guest Editor, we draw on his insights as a furniture designer, artist and educator to look at the makers shaping our design world. Sustainability has never been more important, and increasingly this is a consideration from the start with projects designed to address their immediate environment as well as the longevity of the planet. From the coldest winters to the most tropical of summers, addressing how we live in the environment is crucial to creating the perfect home.

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A playground for casual living

Australia

Architecture & Interiors

Nest Architects

Furniture Object & Art

Studio Esar

Photography

Marnie Hawson

At Chatterbox House, every fold, curve and courtyard have been designed to serve a practical and emotional purpose.


Chatterbox House is an eloquent reinvention of a decrepit bungalow in Fitzroy North, reconfigured by Studio Esar and Nest Architects. The design engages with the spatial constraints of inner-city living, offering a solution through the modulation of light permeation, ventilation and space. Drawing inspiration from the childhood game Chatterbox, the structure unfolds in a series of articulated volumes that are mutually connective and private — each move a considered shift in an ever-adapting spatial puzzle.

The folding design, with its distinct areas and an idiosyncratic flow, breaks up its mass and improves light permeation throughout by directing different sections of the house to face various directions. The layout is punctuated by a series of courtyards that address natural light infiltration, ventilation and indoor-outdoor space, a common setback within metropolitan living. Considered ‘outdoor rooms,’ the courtyards comprise verdant gardens and decorative features to further accentuate that perception, reflecting the clients’ love for vegetation and creating a backdrop for their vivid art oeuvre. “With a love of plants and an extensive, diverse art collection, we have curated a collection of pieces and a palette of colours and textures that complement rather than compete,” says Silvia Roldan, Principal Designer of Studio Esar.

The palette – a legion of oak finishes, walnut accents and lime-washed timbers – gives the impression of a softer, muted look, evoking a sense of conviviality and joviality – perhaps even bringing to mind the clients themselves, given their vivacious brief and the impetus behind the design. The use of easy-care materials, such as an outdoor rug with boucle texture, maximises the durability of the furnishings and fixtures while maintaining a modish appearance. “The client aspired for the project to be highly sustainable by using as many recycled and sustainably sourced materials as possible,” adds Emilio Fuscaldo, Director of Nest Architects.

The living room is lacquered in contrasting colours that, somehow, seem to work – take the lavender rug and a green sofa, for example. The pool room fittingly includes playful features – it’s worth mentioning the striking dining table, ancillary stools and built-in bench seat – reflecting the ebullient aesthetic that the space will eventually cater to for the clients’ teenage children.

Next up: High Street House by Lineburg Wang


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Habitusliving Editor

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ArchitectureAustraliaChatterbox HousecitycourtyardHome ArchitectureHouse Architectureinner-cityInterior DesignMelbourne


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Issue 62 - Living in the Environment Issue

Issue 62

Living in the Environment Issue

Issue 62 is the first issue of the year and always a great time to put our best foot forward. With Adam Goodrum, the loveliest man in design, as Guest Editor, we draw on his insights as a furniture designer, artist and educator to look at the makers shaping our design world. Sustainability has never been more important, and increasingly this is a consideration from the start with projects designed to address their immediate environment as well as the longevity of the planet. From the coldest winters to the most tropical of summers, addressing how we live in the environment is crucial to creating the perfect home.

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