B . E Architecture

57 Tivoli Road

57 Tivoli Road
© Mein Photo
57 Tivoli Road
© Mein Photo

57 TIVOLI ROAD

B.E. Architecture

ARCHITECTS
BE Architecture

PHOTOGRAPHS
Mein Photo

YEAR
2008

LOCATION
Melbourne, Australia

CATEGORY
Houses

Text description provided by architect.

The Tivoli Road house is a private residence, located on a rare inner-city corner site located within a streetscape of mixed housing stock.

57 Tivoli Road
© Mein Photo
57 Tivoli Road
© Mein Photo
57 Tivoli Road
© Mein Photo

Its location allowed us to explore both built form and materials selection, and is designed to act as a bookend to the other houses in its block.

The exposed corner site meant a protective building was required for both visual and acoustic privacy, and the design seeks to create an enclosed shelter for the occupants.

To enhance the building’s reading as a single object, a single external material was chosen – bluestone.

57 Tivoli Road
© Mein Photo
57 Tivoli Road
© Mein Photo
57 Tivoli Road
© Mein Photo

The bluestone was selected for its durability and ability to age kindly, while being sourced locally allowed the construction costs to be lowered.

In order to create movement in the external faces, a paneling technique was developed using the diamond sawn bluestone in varying thickness and panel widths – the “chattered” effect the stone created meant we could push the limit of residential architecture to a more brutal, minimal built form.

To soften the expansive use of bluestone, the clients’ love of timber was expressed within – where externally the bluestone dominates, so too does the timber internally.

57 Tivoli Road
© Mein Photo
57 Tivoli Road

The building utilizes Spotted gum flooring throughout, with feature bunk rooms for occasional visitors clad floor to ceiling, and a cranked Blackwood stair in the two storey entrance space that serves as a modern reference to the traditional spiral staircase.

Internal light courts were used to filter light throughout the site, enclosed external courtyards used to incorporate landscaping, both maintaining privacy and connection to the exterior conditions.

57 Tivoli Road
© Mein Photo
57 Tivoli Road
© Mein Photo

A six metre sliding window was employed to convert the living area into a large entertaining terrace, borrowing views to the city in order to instill a spaciousness uncommon in small inner city sites.

With all b.e. Architecture projects, the refined forms and considered material selection are achieved by resolving every corner, junction and detail with craft-like techniques, seen here particularly in the subtle external texture designed to develop a patina affording the building a timeless quality.

57 Tivoli Road
© Mein Photo
57 Tivoli Road
© Mein Photo


57 Tivoli Road
© Mein Photo
57 Tivoli Road
© Mein Photo


57 Tivoli Road
© Mein Photo
57 Tivoli Road
© Mein Photo
57 Tivoli Road
© Mein Photo


57 Tivoli Road
East Elevation
57 Tivoli Road
North Elevation


57 Tivoli Road
Basement Plan
57 Tivoli Road
Ground Floor Plan
57 Tivoli Road
First Floor Plan


57 Tivoli Road
Site Plan
57 Tivoli Road
Layout Diagram

B . E Architecture
T +61 3 84161600
B . E Architecture
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