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Frankston Mid Century

Frankston Mid Century

MRTN Architects

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The original house was designed by architect and football legend Jack Clarke in 1963 for the family of his structural engineer. Read more
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A thoughtful reimagining of Jack Clarke's 1963 Mid-Century Modern home, preserving its architectural heritage while enhancing living spaces and connecting indoor and outdoor areas through carefully selected materials and design elements.

The original house was designed by architect and football legend Jack Clarke in 1963 for the family of his structural engineer. Designed in the optimistic modern style of the time being advanced by Robin Boyd and The Age’s Small Homes Service, which Jack Clarke contributed to at the time. My clients purchased the home as they are enthusiastic fans of this style of architecture and were keen to preserve a part of this important history.

Our design reimagines the original home through the lens of the source images that most likely was a source of inspiration for Jack Clarke. Referencing photographs taken by Julius Shulman of fifties and sixties West Coast architecture we developed a palette appropriate to the time while making only minor changes to the outward appearance of the house. Although outwardly unchanged the design extends the size and ceiling heights of the original bedrooms through re-modelling the roofline and an ensuite is been added.

The kitchen and dining spaces have been recreated and connected to a new outdoor terrace with a pergola over. The natural clay-fired clay tiles, American walnut veneer and cedar lining boards were selected for their nostalgic connection to the period. The design incorporates original features and materials to create an almost seamless result that leaves one wondering where the old has been replaced by the new. The home is now well placed for the optimism of the new owners and preserved for many years to come.

Photography: Derek Swalwell

4.0K5h 59m

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Professional Reviews

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“We’re looking for a result that is practical, aesthetically pleasing and distinctive. As we had carefully selected a site with unusual features, we sought a design that would draw them out. We’ve been delighted by Antony’s capacity to do exactly that, while keeping us closely involved in the process. We were thrilled with the final design. We also hope that our architect would shield us from the project management process while respecting our budget and keeping us in the loop. Antony managed town planning and then the selection of the contractor very well, ensuring both quality and realistic pricing. We are now half-way through the build and are very pleased to see that the process is working smoothly due, to a large extent, by his skill in communicating with both the builder and ourselves. At the practical level, we sought an architect who was experienced in building for the conditions on the coast, who was linked to local contractors, knew the local planning and building scene, and understood the local community and the rhythm of coastal life. We wanted a small firm where the principal was hands-on in both design development and the management of the project. We were also pleased to find in Antony someone whose professional work had been shaped by working in a large, disciplined firm in Australia and also in the tough New York apartment market, with its notoriously demanding clients. We were attracted by his success in bringing an international design perspective to the Australian context, demonstrated by the recognition he has won from his profession. We recognise that designing and building a home is an intensely personal project requiring an architect to add the skill of mind-reading to his or her repertoire. Antony has demonstrated that he has this skill and, with his excellent team, has been a delight to work with. He understands our own golden rule of ‘no surprises' and has been graciously accepting of our particular idiosyncrasies. Construction of our house is now entering its final phase and, thanks to Antony’s work, we’re looking forward to a very pleasing result.”

Nick and Jane, clients of the Hide House in Venus Bay

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