The Naked Architect Season 2
About The Naked Architect
The Naked Architect is a workshop series that arms consumers with in-depth knowledge about working with an architect on a residential renovation and/or new build. A series of six interactive workshops will provide a behind the scenes look at what it is like to work with an architect. The series is targeted at people who are considering renovating or building a new home and have considered using an architect but don’t know where to start, or are apprehensive about working with an architect due to the common myths around affordability, complexity and ego.
The workshops will offer practical guidance, advice and ideas about engaging an architect on a home renovation or new build project including:
_Why work with an architect?
_Understanding how an architect can improve the value of a home and the occupant’s wellbeing
_What does an architect do?
_Selecting an architect
_The stages of design explained
_Planning, construction and project management explained
_Design fees and project budgeting advice
_Scheduling, associated services/consultants and practicalities
The Naked Architect is an initiative of Open House Melbourne, with support from the Architects Registration Board of Victoria, and in association with ArchiTeam.
Book one, two or all six sessions:
EPISODE 1
Project: Brighton Residence
Architect: Wilson Architecture WARC
Date: Saturday 28 April
Time: 10am – 12pm
This project provides alterations to a 1930’s residence in a dense inner urban location with challenging solar orientation. The additions provide an efficient building envelope and accompanying courtyards that maximise available natural light and create a tapestry of spaces, materials and details within the confined site area.
Warc Studio is a boutique multi disciplinary practice that specialises in creating highly crafted spatial solutions that integrate architecture, interior, landscape and sustainable design.
Photo: Supplied
EPISODE 2
Project: Black House
Architect: Krisna Cheung Architects
Date: Saturday 5 May
Time: 10am – 12pm
The project is a new double storey dwelling occupying a 200sqm block in North Melbourne. The original house was a single-storey brick veneer house from the 1970s without a heritage overlay. Model-making is an integral part of the design process for our practice. The client, a former interior designer, fell in love with the black cardboard used in a model to differentiate between the proposed extension and the original building, and suggested exploring the possibility of making the actual building black.
Krisna Cheung Architects was established in 2007 Ray Cheung and his partner Elisabet Krisna. Thier practice specializes mostly in residential and boutique retail projects, with their architecture based on their own life, as a family of four, living and growing together in a healthy, and comfortable home.
Photo: Wei Wei
EPISODE 3
Project: Fishbowl House
Architect: Mani Architecture
Date: Saturday 26 May
Time: 10am – 12pm
The Fishbowl House is a new double storey dwelling. The expectations of the client to create country aspirations on a suburban site create many challenges. For the home of an artist and craftsman who have relocated from the country to metropolitan life, careful consideration was given to room placement and orientation. To achieve the seclusion that is part of county living, layout and construction methods were stretched so that walls on boundaries enclose the desired private backyard areas. Connections between indoor and outdoor spaces create flexible entertaining areas, as large family gatherings were a priority. The use of tactile materials internally, in their raw state was paramount for the clients to feel connected to the natural elements; something that had been taken for granted in the country. The use of recycled materials, internal brickwork and the exploration of new construction methods such as charred external timber cladding, embody the character of the client, their connection to their work, art and passion for life.
Mani Architecture began in 2014 with Sara and Kathy. Our relationship began with a passion to create inspiring spaces and an enthusiasm for the little details around us. With this in mind we formed a studio dedicated to allowing our creative process run with ideas that explore the use of new materials and forms, creating a unique project each time. By being involved personally in all of our projects and working closely with our clients, we establish a relationship that allows us to represent their needs. Each project begins with a story, that is it’s own and we love to hear how our clients come to use the spaces we create for them to make it their home.
We love to see our projects come to life, evolve and create their own stories over time.
EPISODE 4
Project: Urban Barnyard House
Architect: Inbetween Architecture
Date: Saturday 9 June
Time: 10am – 12pm
Affectionately dubbed by us as the ‘urban-barnyard house’, the original house was an early 1900s, 2 BR Edwardian weatherboard cottage in Reservoir. The brief included removing existing lean-to kitchen and extending to provide new kitchen, dining, living and flexible living / guest room. Also, substantial renovation of the existing house to update and accommodate 3 bedrooms (move entry to accommodate new WIR to master), family bathroom, 2nd WC, laundry and storage. All finishes updated to unify ‘old and new’ parts of the house.
Inbetween Architecture was established in 2012 by John Liu. Steph Richardson joined the practice in 2015. Focused mainly on residential design the practice has undertaken renovation and extension work ranging from $200K to $1.5M. Inspired by composer Claude Debussy’s musing that ‘music is the space between the notes’, they give particular attention to the quiet and calm that brings relief and definition to the spaces we live in.
Photo: Nic Granleese
EPISODE 5
Project: Triangle House
Architect: Molecule
Date: Saturday 16 June
Time: 10am – 12pm
The Triangle House is a new home in Toorak, designed for a family of five. The clients’ brief requested a ‘beach house’ in an urban context with qualities including natural light, robust materials and a strong connection to the landscape. The architectural form is conceived as an elevated sinuous element, a timber-clad boat sitting on a rocky breakwater. The corner prow of the upper floor projects into the street, anchored by the dark recessive ground floor mass.
MOLECULE is a holistic architecture and interior design practice formed in the spirit of collaboration, curiosity and creativity. Based in Melbourne since 2010, their designs form a strong connection between architecture, interiors and landscape.
Photo: Derek Swalwell
