Skip To Main Content
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

From auto-garage, to factory, to family home
HomesAndrew McDonald

From auto-garage, to factory, to family home

Australia

A Sydney inner city warehouse has had many lives over the years, serving as an auto-garage, then a factory for a glass decorator, before living a bachelor pad, and finally a family home.


The residential spaces of the warehouse have been stacking vertically, in a unique design flourish by MCK, serving as an alternate typology for the 21st century family home. Compared to the traditional horizontal standard seen in suburban development, the so-called W House delights in the site opportunities offered, with double height ceilings complementing the external courtyard of similar dimensions. This provides extended views to the city yet offers secure containment and a private space.

The front façade leans back from the street, receding backwards to allow a sense of prominence for the heritage status façade. There is a journey from street to roof terrace, which is reinforced by the staircase focal point inside the space.

A conversation with the surrounding environment is created with peeled back layers of factory and warehouse heritage, juxtaposed with white, floating and mirrored abstract design flourishes. This monochromatic approach continues MCK’s design philosophy that architecture should be about form and space, serving as a backdrop for the colour of the inhabitants and their family life.

The W House received a commendation at the 2016 Australian Institute of Architects NSW annual Awards.

MCK
mckarchitects.com

Words by Andrew McDonald

Photography by Richard Glover

1070-001
1070-004
1070-013
1070-029
1070-035

About the Author

Andrew McDonald

Tags

Home ArchitectureHouse ArchitectureResidential Architecture


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.

Order Issue