Designers: Vibe Design Group
Location: Newtown, Geelong
Photography: Robert Hamer
When Vibe Design Group was approached by the residents of a, somewhat dated, home on a corner block in Victoria’s Geelong, they saw it as a wonderful opportunity.
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“The residents had an appreciation for design and this gave us inspiration to create something quite unusual in appearance yet contain all they required,” says Vibe Design’s Michael O’Sullivan.
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“To the north there was loss of privacy issues from a double storey residence across the street, outside of that we saw the corner block as a bonus in that the shape and dynamic of the design could have a greater impact.”
The resulting structure is a bold, tapering form, which is highly visible from the street on the North side. With 3 storeys at the front, this tapering has the additional benefit of ‘softening’ in a way the progression from single-storey at the rear.
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As a renovation, this home barely resembles the home that came before. This was in fact at the core of the direction for Vibe and the residents.
“Given this was a renovation, and we have designed many, I guess it’s fair to say we set out to really alter the perception of what the house should look like.”
![](https://cdn.habitusliving.com/images/stories/2011/july-11/live/mercer/mercer_hero8.jpg)
The internal timber panelling allowed the designers to achieve the modernist aesthetic they and the owners love so much. A timber-battened wall runs the full length of the home, delineating the shared and private zones.
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“We look for possibilities beyond the conventional street frontage, one that creates great interest to the passer by and perhaps seeks to redefine perceptions of the traditional home. The interior takes a break from the complexities of the outside world with the disguise of doorways and the link between living spaces.”
The home once again goes to show that limitations and a challenging site can produce stunning results.
Vibe Design Group
vibedesigngroup.com.au
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