Project: K2 House
Architects: FMD Architects
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Area: 1,227 sq ft
Photographs by: Peter Bennetts
K2 House by FMD Architects
The K2 House is a complete overhaul of a bachelor pad designed in 2008. 10 years later, it grew into a sparkling family home designed by the same studio that completed the original project – FMD Architects.
It is located in one of Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs and is now the home to a young family and their pets. If you want to know exactly what was done to it to transform it from a bachelor pad into a family home, read what the architects had to say about it, below.
K2 House is the second stage upper floor extension to a renovation completed by fmd architects in 2008. The original brief for a young bachelor, was revised to now meet the needs of a young family with pets. The clients wanted to maintain the initial design intent while adding further versatile spaces to a bustling home.
The original design intent, of angular forms deriving from the tight planning constraints, extends through the upper floor of stage 2. This cohesion of external and internal forms are further expressed through the light reflecting faceted internal elements being expressed on the dark exterior with triangular metal cladding and geometric forms wrapping around both the deck area and new build. The perforated metal elements providing both privacy, shelter and shade whilst creating a sense of depth and transparency to the extension.
The sites constraints draw lines through the building, creating reference points to inform the large triangular window and bar joinery in the new upper floor lounge. This idea continues through the bathroom, stair balustrade and joinery details creating dynamic and structural spaces through the house.
As with the former renovation, retaining the existing building footprint was a key consideration, as outdoor spaces were already limited replanning within the envelope to achieve the required spatial and environmental considerations were major drivers behind the design approach. Hence the dwelling went vertical with a first floor extension including a new living space, deck area and bedroom with walk in robe. In order to fit within council setbacks and adhering to street sight lines, the extension is concealed from view from the street, internal areas worked into the existing roof line, maximising all available space.
The projects growth and versatility is testament to the enduring merits of quality design, by utilising the existing house envelope along with strategic skylights and angled ceiling lines – the extension enables the dwelling and family a new life whilst maximising the footprint of a small property.
