The Brick House is on Bunurong Country, and features the renovation and extension of a single-fronted Edwardian home in Prahran, designed by Clare Cousins. Tucked between apartment blocks, the design was driven by a need for privacy—so two new structures were created to wrap around a peaceful central courtyard, turning the outside world down a notch.
Built for a young family, the home is all about flexibility—fitting their lives now, and ready to evolve with them. Up the back, a cosy studio perches above the garage, forming a two-storey shield from neighbouring buildings. Meanwhile, a low-slung brick and glass addition opens up to the garden, its curving form inviting light and connection with nature.
Photography by Shannon McGrath & Tom Ross.
“Taking advantage of the long linear plot and rear laneway access, a garage with studio above was designed first, conceived as a windowless sculptural form perched on a garage clock to provide a studio or guest bedroom. The house extension curves to maximise its northern orientation and to visually incorporate the native landscaping into the house. This project plays with raw building materials, in concrete and timber, and with pattern, in brick bonds and linear spacing.” – Clare Cousins, architect of the brick house.
