Fitzroy North Terrace

ODD Architects

Wurundjeri Country / Completion 2024

 

Located on a quiet heritage street in Fitzroy North, this project reimagines a single-fronted Victorian terrace as a home for a growing family. Designed with a modest budget and a focus on spatial efficiency, the house challenges conventional terrace planning by placing the kitchen and dining at its centre, establishing them as the ‘heart’ of the home.

 

The original front rooms have been retained and restored, preserving key heritage features including ceiling roses, cornices, high skirtings, and archways. A fireplace has been reinstated within the original chimney, once used for cooking, forming a natural focal point for the central communal space.

 

Sliding steel cavity doors transform the front room into a flexible bedroom or study, addressing the need for adaptable spaces in narrow, shoulder-to-shoulder terraces. A material palette of engineered timber and tundra limestone brings warmth and cohesion to the minimalist interiors, allowing the heritage elements to take focus.

 

A linear skylight marks the junction between old and new, drawing light into the depth of the plan and offering a clear spatial transition. A sculptural stone island anchors the kitchen, with full-height joinery and integrated appliances enhancing functionality within a compact footprint. Polished concrete floors step-up to reinforce the spatial shift and bring texture to the new addition.

 

To the rear, a new bathroom with a sunken bath, a dedicated laundry, and a quiet living room open to a brick-walled garden, planted in a style reminiscent of English Victorian landscapes.

 

The existing stair has been retained and re-clad, leading to a two first-floor bedrooms that completes the home.

 

This project demonstrates how careful restoration and contemporary planning can coexist, creating a considered, light-filled home that respects its past while supporting modern family life.