In the Bayside area of Melbourne, a local architecture firm known as Coy Yiontis embarked on a transformative design journey to breathe new life into a family home.
This project presented several challenges, including the expansion and reconfiguration of available space to capture breathtaking views of the city skyline and the sea. Through a meticulous design process, Coy Yiontis Architects successfully crafted a sculpted response that addressed concerns regarding privacy, overshadowing, and shading, all while embracing the coastal setting and maximizing the utilization of a compact site.
The homeowners had resided in the house for roughly 20 years. Though the house had undergone a significant renovation in the early 2000s, it had started to display signs of wear and no longer met their requirements. Coy Yiontis Architects were approached with the task of rejuvenating the space and possibly adding a third floor to make the most of the stunning views. George Yiontis, Director at Coy Yiontis Architects, explained, “We extensively renovated the building, retaining some existing elements while essentially creating a new structure on the foundation of the old one.” The design aimed to recapture bay views and introduce new city vistas, providing a flexible layout for the clients’ adult family.
“Situated within 100 meters of the bay, on the edge of a heritage precinct in a densely populated urban area, the building evolved as a sculpted response to issues of privacy from both inside and outside, overshadowing, and shading of the north-facing living areas due to the cantilevered volumes,” added Yiontis.
Crafting a functional and aesthetically pleasing design
The house was thoughtfully planned, with each of its three levels serving a distinct purpose. The ground floor became the space for the adult children, while the first floor featured an open-plan area housing the kitchen, living room, and dining area.
This level opened onto a north-facing terrace offering sweeping views of the pool and beyond. Lastly, the third level accommodated the parents’ bedroom, separated into one spacious area by a closet and bathroom.
The unique form of the house arose from practical considerations, as Yiontis elaborated, “The design began to take shape for practical reasons when we worked on the first-floor level. We were looking at sun protection and how to screen the glazing, which led to defining an eaves line. We then addressed issues related to overlooking and explored ways to screen those without the need for a physical screen, which gave rise to additional design elements. From there, it evolved into a sculptural exercise.”
Selecting the screening solution
Regarding privacy, Coy Yiontis Architects needed to, “find a way to screen the extensive northern glazing of the third-floor bedroom suite while preserving the panoramic views of the city skyline,” according to Yiontis.
The team conceptualized perforated cladding panels, serving the dual purpose of shielding the bedroom from direct sunlight and acting as decorative elements on the anodized aluminum facade. These screens could be completely folded away to reveal the stunning views while maintaining the desired level of privacy.
To bring this concept to life, the team collaborated with Shade Factor, with whom they had previously worked on a custom project. Exploring various configurations, both functional and aesthetic, manual and motorized, the team at Shade Factor, in conjunction with ADI, proposed custom motorized vertical bi-fold screens in close cooperation with the builder and structural engineers on-site.
The chosen system seamlessly integrated ADI motorized screens, allowing for efficient control of sunlight and privacy, while enhancing the overall functionality and aesthetics of the project.
For more information Shade Factor
Architect Coy Yiontis Architects
Builder CBD Contracting Group
Photographer Peter Clarke
For more information