Cloud House North Fitzroy, Melbourne Residence

Cloud House Melbourne, North Fitzroy Property, Victoria Home Design, Australia, Architect

Cloud House, Melbourne : North Fitzroy Residence

Contemporary Victoria Property, Australia design by McBride Charles Ryan Architects

post updated 29 Aug 2020 ; 24 Jul 2012

Cloud House, North Fitzroy

Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Architect: McBride Charles Ryan

Cloud House North Fitzroy, Melbourne

Photos by John Gollings

Brief + Design

Cloud House North Fitzroy, Melbourne

The Cloud House is an addition and renovation to a double-fronted Edwardian house in Fitzroy North.

Cloud House North Fitzroy, Melbourne Cloud House North Fitzroy, Melbourne

Over the course of close to a century, this house has received several additions and modifications.

North Fitzroy residence interior

McBride Charles Ryan’s work for the house is designed in three parts. This allows for a sequence of distinct and unexpected episodes, with glimpses previewing oncoming spaces and experiences as you move through the home.

North Fitzroy residence interior

The street facade has been left to demonstrate the clients’ respect for the evolution of the character of the area and the modest street alteration belies the extent of the comprehensive internal renovation work.

North Fitzroy residence interior North Fitzroy home interior

The spaces within the original structure are largely white in colour, united by exotic floral hallway carpet.

North Fitzroy home Victoria

This journey through the space is followed by encountering a disintegrated red-coloured ‘box’. This is the kitchen, at the heart of the property, which acts as a bridge linking the major spaces.

North Fitzroy property interior

A cloud-shaped extrusion is the unexpected final space. Following the form of a child-like impression of a cloud it is a playful addition where family and friends can eat and have fun surrounded by the curved form.

Cloud House Melbourne swimming pool

The new living addition faces due south while allowing controlled north sun into the living area and providing effective cross ventilation.

Cloud House North Fitzroy, Melbourne swimming pool

The form of the ‘cloud’ conforms to setback regulations without appearing obviously determined by them. The extrusion creates a dramatic interior language where walls merge seamlessly with the floor and ceiling.

Cloud House North Fitzroy swimming pool

The craftsmanship is remarkable throughout; it has a sense of care one typically associates with the work of a cooper or wheelwright. While the geometry is playful, the extrusion is essentially a contemporary barrel vault. It is our hope that this cloud has a ‘silver lining’.

Contemporary Victoria property

Cloud House North Fitzroy – Building Information

Title: Cloud House, North Fitzroy
Project team: Rob McBride, Debbie-Lyn Ryan, Marie Chen, Cathryn Panettieri, Ben Inman, Gabriella Muto
Floor area: 220 sqm
Extension area: 70 sqm

Contemporary Victoria property Contemporary Victoria property

Photographs: John Gollings

Cloud House, North Fitzroy images / information from McBride Charles Ryan

McBride Charles Ryan

McBride Charles Ryan Architects – external link

Location: North Fitzroy, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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