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The
Fun House

A colourful family home unfolds over three zones and oozes vibrancy and personality.

black clad home with lime green feature pergola and children playing
dining space with vibrant orange feature panels
timber deck with lime green pergola and lime green chairs

The initial brief was for a funky, creative, and different family home that made the best use of the vacant block and provided enough indoor/outdoor living for an active family.

 

The result is a colourful and contemporary home divided into three zones—one for Emma and Louis, one for the boys, and a central zone where the family can come together. The three pavilions enclose a north-facing yard, which is visible from the expanse of glass in the dining/living zone.

The major challenge was the desire for a spacious, adaptable family home with a connection to sunny outdoor living on a compact site where the traditional ‘backyard’ was facing south.

 

The solution was for the building to hug the southern and side boundaries as closely as possible given setback requirements and a rear easement. By wrapping three pavilions around the rear of the block we created a usable north-facing front yard that flows from the central living area.

living room with orange feature panel and plywood cabinetry
exterior shop of black clad home at night with lights on
young boy climbing into a built in loft bed
bedroom with orange chair in the corner
"I just love it because it is a house that has an impact. Even though the site and footprint are small, it feels deceptively big. I also love how the clients embrace and use the house—it really shows what a good partnership between architect and client can create."

— Jane Macrae
 
vibrant living room with brown leather sofa and feature orange wall panel
feature circle cut out in kitchen wall with vibrant orange feature panel
"It is such a pleasure to live in, and the house is designed to continue to meet our family’s needs as our kids grow older."
 
Homeowners
— Emma & Louis
black clad home at night time with lights on
woman working in the kitchen as a young girl walks through the front door

Inside, adaptable spaces were prioritized over circulation, and there is only one hallway in the home—a space in the boys’ pavilion that doubles as both a laundry and storage area.

 

This pavilion features a second living room that can be adapted as a study, guest quarters, or rumpus room; and the boys’ bedrooms have loft beds to allow for play spaces below. Although the footprint is small, all ceiling heights are over 10 feet, making the house feel more spacious.

feature wall with a circle cut out looking into the kitchen
woman walks out of the kitchen a child sits at the entry bench putting on his shoes
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