Project: Salmon Residence
Architects: FGR Architects
Location: Essendon, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Area: 10,139 sf
Photographs by: Peter Bennets
Salmon Residence by FGR Architects
FGR Architects has certainly given us a reason to check back on their latest projects every now and then after being left breathless by their Wildcoast Project in Portsea, Melbourne.
And it seems, they have delivered again, this time in the form of a modest-looking contemporary residence. But the modesty stops as soon as you move past the front entrance.
After the simplistic, concrete facade, you are greeted with all of the luxurious features and amenities that you would expect from a 10,139 square foot home.
Carefully designed to expose the beauty of raw concrete, Salmon Avenue by FGR Architects creates a strong design statement amongst its traditional Essendon neighbourhood. Designed as two halves, the northern wing is considered the private quarters and the rear southern aspect utilised as the living space. Salmon Avenue meets the client’s objective of expressing as much concrete as possible through the built form.
The home’s striking precast concrete façade immediately stands out, and is carefully crafted to showcase the material’s beauty in a simple, brutalist fashion. A strong design language is expressed via the unique elevation of the land paired with solid sheets of concrete, deliberately placed to allow for full privacy from the higher street and a sense of protection. Where the concrete sheets end, the form is carefully balanced by entire glass fillings supported by black steel frames.
Contrasting the front portion of the home, the rear is elegantly crafted to include a light- filled kitchen and living area. Following the unique dialogue of the land, the back end steps down 1.2 metres to give privacy but also allow for open space.Outside, a single glazed pavilion overlooks a 15 metre pool with a large alfresco area, perfect for entertaining or providing space for children to play. The rear boundary of the home then backs onto neighbouring parkland creating stunning views and a feeling of openness.
Inside the home, sized at 460sqm, a sense of direction is immediately present, with deliberate raw concrete placement making up almost the entire interior walls. A distinct vanishing point has been created through the elevation of the home as the interior walls appear to cascade. At the entry, soaring six metre high ceilings create an incredible ambience and appreciation of the light-filled ceiling height to the living area.
There is a natural movement from the entry point to the kitchen then onto to the alfresco area, which features a large walk-in pantry and signature five metre long island bench made of insitu concrete. This flows through to the meal area wit ah fire pit, and finally the pool. Concrete has also been incorporated in the bathrooms, contrasted against oak to give a delicate softness. A subtle contrast is also achieved from dark timber finishes. Paired back, natural timber joinery can also be found throughout the rest of the home along with glass frames to support the volume and space.
