This 90s Townhouse Was Updated With a Warm Minimalist Interior
Bo Chu, Director of architecture practice Pitch AD, missed the hustle and bustle of city life, having moved to Blackburn in Melbourne’s east from Beijing, China. Seeing an opportunity to move to Fitzroy, Bo purchased a 90s townhouse in an old warehouse just off Brunswick Street.
Before any renovation, the townhouse had a few issues and challenges. First, the orientation wasn’t the greatest, with access to only east and west sunlight. Second, the ground floor layout also meant that the galley kitchen would block the afternoon sun. Finally, wanting to accommodate his family on more extended stays, having one bathroom was challenging for everyone.
Wanting to avoid any external works, Bo focused his attention on the interior design of the townhouse. The existing kitchen was demolished and relocated to the centre of the townhouse, allowing more natural daylight in and breaking up living and dining with clear spaces. Upstairs, Bo flexed his architect’s muscles and reworked the main bedroom and existing bathroom to fit in a compact ensuite, robe and new bathroom layout.
Downstairs, the old carpet was ripped up, revealing the existing warehouse’s concrete slab, which was then polished. The use of timber for wall panelling and joinery brings a sense of the warmth of the interior space. The kitchen is kept simple, with floor to ceiling cupboards, integrated appliances, and a built-in extraction fan on the cooktop reduces clutter.
The end result of this renovation is a soft, warm and inviting minimalist interior. Although access to natural daylight is still limited, there is a real sense of coziness. For Bo, the renovation allows him to actually enjoy being in the kitchen where he feels a part of the space instead of being tucked away in the corner.
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Videography, photography and words by Anthony Richardson.
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