The design team described the Strathmore Patio House / Ceravolo Studio project as a three-story extension added to a pre-existing residence constructed of solid brick in the Art Deco style. This architectural arrangement is organized around a central internal patio, making circulation a fundamental element of the design, directing the experience of the space and facilitating a smooth transition between different living areas.
The objective of this undertaking was to develop an annex with a minimalist and almost monastic atmosphere, including an internal patio, while simultaneously carrying out a complete renovation of the existing Art Deco house, located on a suburban corner lot. The complex layout of the original building served as the main factor in defining the spatial zoning and the overall form of the project.
To optimize the use of available space, the new wing extends over three floors, occupying the boundaries of the plot and facing a centralized external space. The annex was designed as a monolithic structure, using brick masonry that dialogues with the characteristic materiality of the original house. The detailed craftsmanship in the facade's brick patterning pays homage to the craft of masonry and the construction era, while establishing a refined and minimalist aesthetic.
Although the annex presents a notable distinction in terms of language and format, maintaining coherence in scale and materiality ensures a sense of continuity in the overall design. The original, discreet entrance was preserved, and a new curved staircase was implemented to create a formalized access to the first floor, resulting in a spacious and dynamic double-height entrance hall. Additionally, a second side access was positioned at the junction between the old house and the new wing, connecting directly to the ground floor circulation axis.
This internal passage is crucial for guiding the spatial experience, promoting a fluid transition between all common zones. Movement within the house is planned to be intentional and dynamic, with corridors and passages meticulously integrated to enhance both flow and visual axes.
The central patio constitutes the core of the project, functioning as the focal point around which all interior environments were arranged. The four glazed facades of the ground floor—which house the library and formal entrance, a large integrated living room, the formal dining room, and the kitchen with pantry—face this open space, generating a perception of connection and luminosity with the exterior from all angles of the residence.
The interiors were decorated with finishes and materials that are spartan, durable, and monastic in character. The curation of the interior spaces combines pieces by contemporary local Australian designers and artists with classical references from Italian modernism.
