Eliza Blair Architecture has completed a townhouse in Melbourne, Australia, with spaces that challenge conventional family home norms. Designed in 2023, the project is one of four townhouses carved from a historic residence. The architect and homeowner’s goal was to create a compact, tranquil urban retreat.
Eliza Blair Architecture has completed the renovation of a Melbourne townhouse that defies typical family home norms by focusing on multifunctional spaces and compact luxury. One of four townhouses carved from a historic residence, the 133-square-meter (1,431-square-foot) house has undergone complex structural alterations to enhance family life.
The client, who is also the architect, was inspired by London life to create a compact but tranquil urban retreat. Functional spaces are cleverly hidden behind paneled doors, including a toilet under the stairs and an efficient laundry room adjacent to the kitchen. These tailor-made projects aim to make the most of every available centimeter.
The generous ceiling heights, combined with the full-height joinery, create a feeling of airiness and perfectly integrate storage. Steel-framed sliding doors are used to delimit the different zones, providing acoustic separation without impeding the flow of light. The glass doors further extend the living areas into the courtyard, blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces.
The meticulous interior design includes a master bedroom overlooking the treetops, with an en-suite bathroom featuring a custom high stone dressing table and Japanese tiles, capturing a hotel atmosphere. Careful joinery in every corner ensures that the house remains calm and organized.
Blair describes the project as a balance between problem-solving and delicate design, where every detail contributes to a delicate interplay between form and function. The interior’s high ceilings and full-height joinery keep the space open and airy.
This approach not only optimizes space in a limited area, but also lends an element of luxury, proving that comfort and style don’t necessarily require a large square footage.
Through this project, Blair challenges what is typically imagined for a family home, opting for elements that celebrate the art of multifunctional spaces.
The design focuses heavily on hiding functional areas behind seemingly simple cladding, such as a laundry room cleverly positioned next to the kitchen, maximizing the ease of household chores. Features like these highlight a new direction in modern residential architecture, where functionality doesn’t have to compromise aesthetics.
With a focus on contemporary and efficient designs, this architectural project explores how intelligent design solutions and well thought-out interiors can make even traditional spaces adaptable and luxurious. The South Yarra Townhouse becomes a shining example of the redefinition of compact urban family life.
