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Project by
Year of completion
2016
Building style
Contemporary

Joyful House is a fun and brightly coloured addition to a weatherboard worker’s cottage on the outskirts of Geelong.

With the arrival of their third child, our clients asked us to open the rear of their house to provide a variety of light-filled spaces for their energetic young family. Our intervention retains original bedrooms, adding new services and a multifunctional living room that opens onto the generous back garden. The addition contrasts in colour and form to the original cottage and surrounding streetscape, a black-clad counterpoint to white weatherboard.

The roof structure, ceiling and upper walls of the living room are dipped in Dulux Joyful. Careful window placement helps this bright yellow canopy bounce sunlight into every nook and cranny. A translucent fibreglass roof over the deck helps pour in even more daylight and feels like an outdoor extension to the living room. The steeply sloping roof gives height to the living functions downstairs and makes room for a cheeky mezzanine retreat above.

We took extra care in selecting materials that will weather the storm of growing children: hardwood timber floors, plywood joinery and sisal carpet are warm to touch and bounce back well from wrestling matches and art days. Circular cutouts in cupboard doors are perfect for small hands and inquiring minds.

Our clients’ ambitions for Joyful House were substantial, but their budget wasn’t. We collaborated closely with the builder, Little Constructions, and a range of local craftsmen to keep a lid on costs. During the design and documentation process, we met regularly to keep economy and luxury in balance. We used standard construction processes and humble materials throughout the house but worked hard to have them punch above their weight. The result is a beautiful, welcoming and vibrant house that cost very little to build.

Joyful House is a fun, friendly and brightly coloured addition to a weatherboard workers' cottage on the outskirts of Geelong.

Awards:

  • 2017 ArchiTeam Awards Finalist

Location: Geelong, Victoria
Typology: Renovation
Status: Completed 2016
Builder: Little Construction
Design Team: Warwick Mihaly, Erica Slocombe, Jake Taylor
Country: Wadawurrung

Photography: Tatjana Plitt

Mihaly Slocombe Architects
Victoria
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Photography: Tatjana Plitt
Photography: Tatjana Plitt
Photography: Tatjana Plitt
Photography: Tatjana Plitt
Photography: Tatjana Plitt
Photography: Tatjana Plitt
Photography: Tatjana Plitt
Photography: Tatjana Plitt
Photography: Tatjana Plitt
Photography: Tatjana Plitt
Photography: Tatjana Plitt
Photography: Tatjana Plitt
Photography: Tatjana Plitt
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Photography: Tatjana Plitt
Photography: Tatjana Plitt
Photography: Tatjana Plitt
Photography: Tatjana Plitt

Professionals used in
Joyful House

About the
Professional

Established in Melbourne in 2010, Mihaly Slocombe is an architecture studio with a growing portfolio of houses, schools, offices and public spaces.

Central to all our work is our relationship with our clients. We listen, ask and collaborate to make sure we deliver on both the big picture and smallest detail.

For us, design doesn’t just happen at the beginning of our process. It continues every step of the way, from our first sketches through to models, working drawings and construction. The result is architecture that belongs to its climate, connects to its function, and captures your aspirations.

Small or large, we believe that every project is an opportunity for great design. We create bespoke buildings that are efficient, beautiful and unique.

At ArchiPro we recognise and acknowledge the existing, original and ancient connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to the lands and waterways across the Australian continent. We pay our respects to the elders past and present. We commit to working together to build a prosperous and inclusive Australia.