Gable Clerestory House

Gable Clerestory House
© Pier Carthew

Gable Clerestory House

Sonelo Design Studio

ARCHITECT
Elodie Lim

BUILDER
Cale Peters Constructions

LEAD ARCHITECT
Wilson Tang

GRADUATE ARCHITECT
Hsin Yeh

INTERIOR STYLIST
Jess Kneebone

MANUFACTURERS
Ajar, Artedomus, Artemide, Dulux, Elton Group, Enlightened Living, Fibonacci Stone, George Feathers & Co, Porters Paints

JOINERS
Inform Joinery

PHOTOGRAPHS
Pier Carthew

AREA
170 m²

YEAR
2022

LOCATION
Melbourne, Australia

CATEGORY
House Interiors

Nestled in amongst a street lined with well-preserved red brick Federation-era houses, Gable Clerestory House presents a quiet and homogenous frontage to the street.

Gable Clerestory House
© Pier Carthew
Gable Clerestory House
© Pier Carthew
Gable Clerestory House
© Pier Carthew

Beyond the façade lies a mid-century-inspired family home with dynamic ceiling heights, delightful sky views, and an earthy palette.

The existing house is a single-storey terrace sited in a heritage precinct.

The client’s brief is to create a home for a growing young family with voluminous space and a connection to the outdoors.

Gable Clerestory House
© Pier Carthew
Gable Clerestory House
© Pier Carthew
Gable Clerestory House
© Pier Carthew

The heritage requirement and the surrounding amenities restrict the footprint of the house to a single-storey volume.

Driven by these restrictions and a restrained budget, the design focuses on an efficient layout, generous internal volumes, and connected but private outdoor space.

The journey from the old to the new part of the house is composed of varying ceiling volumes.

Gable Clerestory House
© Pier Carthew
Gable Clerestory House
© Pier Carthew
Gable Clerestory House
© Pier Carthew

The tall ceiling of the heritage house with periodic details leads to an unexpected skylight and a downward curve in the ceiling.

After passing through a compressed threshold, a spacious living space comes into view.

Taking inspiration from mid-century architecture, a clearly expressed datum line marks the ceiling and the gable roof elevates the height above the kitchen and living area.

Gable Clerestory House
© Pier Carthew
Gable Clerestory House
© Pier Carthew
Gable Clerestory House
© Pier Carthew

A set of clerestory windows cap the ends of the gable roof, framing a ‘Turrel-esque’ sky view. They also admit abundant daylight and heat the space with warm winter sun during colder months.

A large cavity sliding doors connect the living area to the outdoor deck. When in the fully open position, the sliding doors disappear into the wall, capable of amalgamating the indoor and outdoor into one space.

PROJECT

specific details are developed whilst resolving functional requirements. Located in the southern hemisphere, the sun remains in the north during winter.

Gable Clerestory House
© Pier Carthew
Gable Clerestory House
© Pier Carthew
Gable Clerestory House
© Pier Carthew

The gable clerestory roof is our architectural response to admit this northerly exposure to a south-facing living extension.

The hit-and-miss pattern in the rear brick wall, apart from adding finesse to the elevation, serves as a vent required for the evaporative air conditioning system to draw air when in operation.

The brick corbel in the outdoor patio allows the brick wall to cantilever and serve as a privacy screen without the introduction of an additional structural beam or post.

Gable Clerestory House
© Pier Carthew
Gable Clerestory House
© Pier Carthew
Gable Clerestory House
© Pier Carthew

The curation of select terrazzos and earthy colors of clay, green, and grey create a focal point in the interiors.

Soft greys, and earthy tones of concrete, timber, and external galvanized steel are balanced against the vibrant colors and the heritage red bricks.

The use of clay color warms the living area and complements the recycled red bricks on the exterior.

Gable Clerestory House
© Pier Carthew
Gable Clerestory House
© Pier Carthew

Face with the challenges of a compact site, heritage overlay, and restrained budget, the design approach focuses on meaningful gestures that elevate the quality of the spaces.

The functional and considered interior, the grand yet simple addition of the gable roof, and the earthy material palette, combined form a thoughtful response to this family home.


Gable Clerestory House
Section A
Gable Clerestory House
Section B


Gable Clerestory House
Kitchen Elevation 01
Gable Clerestory House
Kitchen Elevation 02


Gable Clerestory House
Elevation
Gable Clerestory House
Isometric Diagram


Gable Clerestory House
Plan - Ground Floor
Gable Clerestory House
Plan - Site
Gable Clerestory House
Plan - Kitchen Floor