Autumn House: Studio Bright

Nestled among a series of single-fronted Carlton North terraces, a familiar single-storey terrace sits quite traditionally in the top corner of the site. To its south, is a deep garden –a humble surprise, giving this quiet residential street a break from the customary blockade of terrace walls. Autumn House stands proudly as an exercise in “negotiating the need for refuge, retreat and privacy” while crafting moments that engage generously with what is beyond. A series of carefully placed elements fill the site around the existing Victorian terrace, which was previously renovated in the 80s by architect Mick Jörgensen. The extensively reconfigured interior by Jörgensen sees brick walls bagged, floors paved in brickwork, clear finished timber ceilings, and an expressed central fireplace – all elements that Studio Bright describe as “quintessentially earthy Elthamesque 80s” that were “much loved and referenced in the new addition”. When speaking with Studio Bright about the project, they described it as “two restorations and an addition”, with the team working to define, refine and respect the existing features and gestures, and yet integrate them. Sitting within a heritage overlay, the new portions of the building maintain deep setbacks from the street, and are “intentionally quiet along the heritage front, with the existing Victorian restored and celebrated”. A bold brick garden wall peels off the Victorian terrace, and wraps towards the laneway, forming both the boundary wall for the ground floor of the addition, while enclosing the main garden space and mature elm tree. Above, a wedge-like mesh structure rests on the bold brick plinth, housing the main bedroom, ensuite, and a balcony looking onto the garden below. When talking through their design process for the facade walls, Studio Bright shared how “all thresholds to the courtyards and outdoor spaces are porous and defined by operable glazed doors and windows”. There was a “strong desire to renew spatial respect for the mature elm tree in the middle of the site, and to recreate the lush and private secretgarden feeling experienced in the existing house”. Internal planning around the tree embraces its canopy, “bringing the seasonal beauty of the tree into daily life”. These internal curved geometries reflect onto the curved brick laneway facade, softening the way the addition presents itself to its neighbouring context. The wedge-like structure above is dressed in a mesh system that encourages climbing planters to clad the walls of the home over time. Studio Bright saw this “garden offering to the laneway” as a humble gesture to the neighbourhood, while “further elaborating the visual allusion of the secret garden” beyond. Additionally, the garden screening also aims to work towards “filtering light and muting the immediacy of neighbours” for the private spaces within.