ACUTE HOUSE

ALBERT PARK

Photographs | Nic Granleese


Most architects would probably run from a tiny, triangular site like this one in Melbourne, Australia. But not OOF! Architecture, who turned a rundown Victorian weatherboard cottage into a compact home
— Caroline Williamson | Design Milk

ACUTE HOUSE

Acute House is the transformation of a 'renovator's nightmare' into a compact 21st century family home. The severe limitations of a tiny, very triangular site and the demanding heritage context have resulted in a pointy new wedge of house that is designed to exploit its problems.

The original, and extremely decrepit, Victorian weatherboard cottage had become impossible to inhabit but was well loved by the neighbourhood as well as its new owners.

We tried to retain its weathered character by re-using as much original fabric as possible from warped weatherboards and fence palings to random accumulations such as door knobs, vents and street numbers. Like fragile museum artefacts, these were carefully removed, labelled, stored and re-installed in their original location on a new mount that not only highlights their charms by contrast but allows the house to live again in a new way.

THIS HOUSE IS FOR

👸 + 🤴 + 👦 + 👶 + 🐕

BEFORE | the original "Renovator's Nightmare" | photo: OOF! architecture


It’s an innovative amalgamation of old and new that satisfies the project’s heritage requirements and guarantees that the new three-level home... is sympathetic to the local vernacular. A polite, subtle response would never have worked on a wedge-shaped site that’s as prominently positioned as this one.
— Leanne Amodeo | Urbis Magazine

Photograph: Nic Granleese

Internally, the design is a masterclass in spatial efficiency, with custom joinery, hidden storage, and multi-functional furniture maximizing the compact footprint. Large windows and skylights fill the space with natural light, enhancing the sense of openness... The Acute House proves that bold, efficient, and beautiful design is possible — even on the most challenging urban sites.
— Pooja Khanna Tyagi | Yanko Design

Photograph: Nic Granleese

Because of the limited space, every corner has been colonized for a useful purpose. “Space mining” is a term the architect uses when describing her approach to designing the house. Even the dog has his own shelf...
— Linda Cheng | Houses Magazine

Photograph: Nic Granleese


DESIGN TEAM:

Architect | OOF | Fooi-Ling Khoo
Planning + Heritage | OOF | David Brand
Interior Design | OOF in collaboration with JPILD
Engineer | Mark Hodkinson Consulting Structural Engineers
Building Surveyor: Anthony Middling & Associates

 

CONSTRUCTION TEAM:

Builder: Mitty & Price Builders | Michael Briese (Builder/Director) Christian Klueter (Foreman) 
External Cladding | Advanced Metal Cladding 
Windows and Doors | Pickering Joinery 
Joiner | TT Cabinets + Design 
Steelwork | Redon Forge
PlumberInnerline Plumbing
Electrician | Warner Electrical
Heating + AC | Marshall's Heating & Air conditioning Pty Ltd
Concrete Polishing | Lumic


AWARDS

City of Port Phillip Design + Development Awards 2018 | AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE | Residential Dwelling

City of Port Phillip Design + Development Awards 2018 | AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE | Residential Dwelling

City of Port Phillip Design + Development Awards 2018 | COMMENDATION | Heritage Conservation

City of Port Phillip Design + Development Awards 2018 | COMMENDATION | Heritage Conservation


Victorian Premier's Design Awards 2016 | WINNER | Architecture

Victorian Premier's Design Awards 2016 | WINNER | Architecture


ArchiTeam Awards 2016 | WINNER | Residential Alterations

ArchiTeam Awards 2016 | WINNER | Residential Alterations

ArchiTeam Awards 2016 | COMMENDATION | Sustainability

ArchiTeam Awards 2016 | COMMENDATION | Sustainability

Houses Awards 2016 | COMMENDATION | House in a Heritage Context

Houses Awards 2016 | COMMENDATION | House in a Heritage Context

Houses Awards 2016 | SHORTLIST | House Alterations < 200sqm

Houses Awards 2016 | SHORTLIST | House Alterations < 200sqm


Acute House is proud to be a part of Open House Melbourne 2016

Acute House is proud to be a part of Open House Melbourne 2016

ARTICLES ABOUT ACUTE HOUSE:


MEDIA ENQUIRIES:

Please have a look on Bowerbird.io for more information about this project