Gul Melbourne by Nico van der Meulen Architects
Gul Melbourne is a house in Melbourne, Australia, designed by Nico van der Meulen Architects in 2023. A faceted metal envelope cuts a sharp profile against the street, while broad panes of glass pull garden and sky into view. Inside, a pared-back palette of concrete, plaster, and oak supports art and daily life with crisp intent.
Low clouds slide above a dark, folded frame as the driveway bends toward a crisp concrete wall. Light skims the faceted metal along the boundary, throwing angular shadows across the entry court.
This is a house in Melbourne by Nico van der Meulen Architects, conceived around material expression and control of light. The composition favors steel, concrete, and glass, using their weight and precision to choreograph shade, privacy, and long views across the garden and pool.
Folded Steel Frame
Along the north and south elevations, abstract steel shards punch across glazing, breaking sun and framing pieces of sky. A tapering steel frame throws measured shade onto balconies and terraces, tempering heat without dulling daylight. From the street, the faceted cladding signals the interior’s clarity and the home’s assertive silhouette.
Concrete And Plaster
Inside, polished concrete floors meet grey walls finished in off‑shutter concrete and Venetian plaster. The palette stays monochrome, letting texture carry the story while oak brings a warmer undertone where needed. Art punctuates the calm—graphic works and vivid color fields land cleanly against the neutral surfaces.
Living Volume And Light
A double-height living area holds a quiet rhythm: low, tailored seating, a linear hearth, and a glass balustrade above. The dining room stretches toward sliding glass and the terrace, aligning daily meals with horizon and breeze. From the entrance hall, sightlines catch a water feature, the infinity pool, and deep garden planting.
Kitchen, Bar, And Collection
The kitchen reads dark and precise, with stone counters, integrated pulls, and a luminous marble backsplash. Nearby, a geometric bar anchors an entertainment lounge, backed by a gridded wine display that doubles as sculpture. A wall-mounted jersey collection personalizes the room without clutter, a crisp arrangement against concrete.
Rooms With Reach
Upstairs, a study overlooks treetops and distant hills, its desk set to the glass where a diagonal steel brace cuts the view into frames. The primary bathroom centers a round soaking tub beneath a circular skylight, washing the stone floor with soft daylight. Outside, shaded lounges slip under the overhang while the pool’s pale surface reflects the serrated upper facade.
Planters ease the edge of the garage wall, and light grey render sits against charcoal steel for a taut contrast. As evening drops, the shards read darker and the glazing turns luminous, lending the house a steady, crafted clarity.
Photography by Macbuild
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