close
close

House B of Kart Projects

Posted on by Pranco
House B of Kart Projects

The first What you notice about House B – an adaptation of an end terrace in Brunswick, Melbourne – is the glass wall that runs along the side of the house facing the street. This translucent facade reveals brief moments of domesticity – a child running up the stairs, a figure carrying a vacuum cleaner – but no faces or distinguishing details. Inside the home, this glass wall lets in light and creates a feeling of playful reciprocity with the street. Although you may see the silhouette of a passing cyclist or a neighbor walking his dog, there remains a sense of privacy and seclusion.

House B was designed by Kart Projects directors Martin Musiatowicz and Karen Fermo for Martin’s sister Karolina and brother-in-law Damian. For seven years, Karolina and Damian – a carpenter – managed and built the renovation themselves, with support from Martin, Karen and Kart Projects. During this time, they have created a home that meets their family’s needs and connects them and their home to the vibrant neighborhood.

The extension is low where it connects to the existing house, but rises at the rear.

The project began with the restoration of the existing Victorian terrace, which had seen a series of dilapidated extensions over some 60 years. While Damian and Karolina restored the original terrace structure, the Kart Projects team began designing a renovation and extension. Martin and Karen had the benefit of regular and informal ‘site visits’ as the house was carefully taken apart, as well as a deep familiarity with the needs of the clients, who lived on site during construction. This intimacy created trust: not all customers would have immediately embraced the concept of a glass wall on the street side, but Damian and Karolina’s courage has been rewarded. They speak proudly about its enormous impact on the atmosphere and thermal comfort of their home.

The plan for House B responds creatively to their needs (more space, light and views) and at the same time takes complex heritage and municipal requirements into account. The old shelters were removed to make way for a kitchen-living-dining area at the rear of the existing terrace, which opens onto a courtyard. An extension to the rear of the block contains a master bedroom and en suite bathroom, which are located above the garage. The extension looks back to the original part of the house and over the surrounding roofs and treetops. The glass facade connects old with new and borders the surprisingly spacious courtyard that has been created between them.

Although the plan was developed and approved early in the project, the self-imposed timeline provided the clients with the flexibility to change, whether out of necessity or desire. As costs fluctuated, or when Damian had access to leftover materials from his work, various products and materials were traded in and out. Martin and Damian remember discussing design changes during family barbecues and birthday dinners amid a muddy construction site. These adjustments can be made quickly and with much less paperwork than a variation on a typical renovation.

A visible steel frame marks the internal transition from old to new.

Many of the changes were made to incorporate personalized design features as the clients responded in real time to their evolving home. For example, when the team decided to leave the steel portal frame exposed in the kitchen, they had to determine where to place the downspout. Instead of hiding it away, they opted for an oversized copper drainpipe in the kitchen. The result is a wonderful acoustic effect: when it rains, you can hear the water trickling softly.

The freedom from regular commercial delivery schedules allowed the clients to devote much of their own time and care to the project over weekends, public holidays and during Melbourne’s COVID-19 lockdowns. Damian hand-cleaned and reused 7,000 bricks from the original house, and oiled the invisible side of the plywood ceiling cladding to prevent it from warping. Karolina oversaw the purchasing of materials and coordinated other transactions, making herself available at all times to receive deliveries.

Materials – including stones from the old lean-tos – were recycled and reused in the extension.

House B illustrates that a home is not just for the owners, residents or architects. Its creation was supported by a community of artisans and craftsmen, many of whom were friends of the couple or colleagues of Damian. In addition to those who directly contributed to it, the glass exterior has been a point of interest and engagement with curious neighbors and the wider community, who have witnessed the development of the house and its family. The project has therefore created a long-lasting connection between people, which goes beyond just catching a glimpse of each other’s silhouettes through the glass wall.

The continued care and dedication that House B’s architects, owners and staff have given to the project is evident in the design and construction, which contribute richly to the fabric of the house’s inner-city environment. The strong relationships have ensured an admirable adaptability, and the collaboration has enabled both architect and builder to excel in their respective professional skills. The result is an elegant and well-made home, suitable for family life, which will hopefully extend the life of this building into the next century.