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Architect’s new family home brilliantly separates work and play

By Cindy Paskalina Kweesar • Leave a Comment

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Browsing the images of any designer home, it’s not uncommon for mere mortals to find themselves wondering where all the clutter and brick-a-brac fits — those unsightly signs of everyday life! ODO founding director Samson Tiew can fill you in on the secret. “It’s all tucked away behind hidden doors,” he laughed.

In fact, the architect can testify to this first hand, having recently completed his own three-bedroom home in Richmond in Melbourne’s inner east, where he lives with his wife, educational toy designer Beatrice Tiew, and their three children.

Affectionately coined ‘Two Fold House’, the name stems from the duality of the project, from the subdivision of its original property into two homes (the other for his sister), as well as the functionality of the design, which maximises clean lines, hidden doors and “hardworking” walls, to divide work and play within the 198 sqm home, creating an ultimate sense of calm and tranquillity amid the hustle of family and city life.

“As a designer, I do feel a responsibility to present a sophisticated home that can entertain guests in a way that reflects my craft. But as a father, I also know that life is all about those other noisy, messy moments. It was important to us that our family home could do both, which is where the ‘twofold’ nature of our home really began,” Samson said.

“There are many thoughts and surprises that come with the design. The integrated joinery doors tuck things away, and the walls work really hard — there is always another facet or element to reveal itself within the house. Evoking a sense of functionality, but also play, we wanted to dive a bit deeper and create more layers to be discovered.”

Beyond the kitchen and living room, sliding bi-fold doors cast a dividing line across the open plan space. Vertical detailing hides the joints in the door so that once closed, a continuous, minimalistic wall instantly transforms the room from very much lived in to ready to entertain guests.

With the wall creating a simplified, timeless canvas for the shifting seasons of family life, Samson has been careful not to over-stylise the home, opting for a muted palette. Locally-sourced blackbutt flooring softens stainless steel details exemplified in the kitchen bench, a mess-free surface that brings another utilitarian functionality to the family home.

The juxtaposition between repose and play is also carried into the division of the top and bottom floors. On the ground floor, entry shrouds and bay windows contribute to well-insulated bedrooms to create calming spaces that are cool in summer and warm in winter. Upstairs, attic windows break up walls from the inside, with windows maximising the openable area for cross-ventilation, circulation and city views. Upstairs, a rooftop terrace awaits. The result is light, airy and energising.

Outside, the unconventional approach to design has led to significant innovation. In keeping with the motif of the fold, a pentagonal brick facade has been clad with a stacked brick material rather than conventional brick bonds. Through collaborative efforts with PGH Bricks & Pavers, the designer has used a new system to lay the bricks on an angle. A beige colour palette creates an earthy appeal that takes inspiration from the surrounding streetscape and limits any detraction from the site context.

The twofold nature of this family home extends to the subdivision of the original site. The couple embarked on the project with Samson’s sister, who lives in the house at the site’s street frontage. Samson and Beatrice’s home sits behind, relying on shared access to car spaces and access from a pedestrian walkway behind the street.

With just a nine-metre street frontage, Samson said it was his experience with larger residential projects that spurred the concept for two efficient, square floor plates, rather than the traditional longhouse model seen in many Melbourne townhouses.

“Sometimes, the general public can be fixated on clarity of land ownership, but then you end up with a compromised layout that doesn’t really work for all lifestyles. At Two Fold House, we have embraced the ambiguity of ownership and shared space to arrive at an outcome that’s more liveable,” he said.

“Shared common areas are normal in apartment buildings, with shared hallways and car spaces being accepted, but when it comes to blended property, people tend not to consider the possibility of doing that. Coming from a background in larger projects, it was a natural reflex to explore this functionality further.”

For more on One Design Office (ODO)

Interior designer’s farmhouse inspired by the coast of Portugal
A testament to true craftsmanship and serenity, this single-dwelling home was designed by interior designer Emily Jury, for herself and…
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When interior designer Liz Hayward purchased this Sydney home five years ago, she had a long-term plan in mind. “This…

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April 12, 2023

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Appliance colour trends: They've certainly change Appliance colour trends:

They've certainly changed over the years. Remember when ALL fridges were white?! I remember the original BROWN wall oven in our 60s kitchen here pre-reno! I think the dishwasher was brown and beige (and it tripped the electrics every time we used it!) 😜

What do you think of this new dark stainless steel option (pictured) from Westinghouse as seen in @dnaofdesign_'s latest reno? Yay or nay? 

What colour do you like your appliances?

See the rest of this home and kitchen and laundry design tips from the ex Blockheads on the blog now via link in bio.

#kitchenappliances #walloven #wallovens #combioven #combioven #microwaves #builtinappliances #builtinoven #builtinovens #homeappliance #westinghouse #kitchentrends #ovens #laundryappliances #darkstainlesssteel #stainlesssteelappliances
SALE ALERT! Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my fav SALE ALERT!

Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my favourite home stores @shack.furniture.homewares are having their annual warehouse sale this week, from Thursday until Saturday.

HUGE savings on furniture, homewares and decor with 30 to 80% off. Wowsers!

I'm a big fan of SHACK and can never leave one of their stores without a few styling goodies for my place! It's just too tempting!

While you're at the sale, mention Interiors Addict for an extra 10% off!

Unit 16a, 1801 Botany Rd, Banksmeadow NSW 2019

Thursday 1st to Saturday 3rd June 2023, 9am to 4pm. Not online.

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#artdecoapartment #artdecointerior
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Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sh Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sheets and soap and powder!). We have a great roundup of the best options on the blog today. 

A whole host of brands are offering eco-friendly, low tox alternatives to the more chemical-laden ones. Not only that, they often smell amazing, look good on your shelf and come in recycled or recyclable (or even better, both) packaging. 

Good for your skin, your clothes and the planet: what’s not to like?

Do you use any of these?

COMPARE THEM ALL VIA LINK IN BIO NOW.

#lowtoxliving #lowtoxlife #lowtoxlifestyle #lowtoxhome #lowtoxlaundry #lowtoxswaps #naturallaundry #naturallaundrydetergent #naturallaundrysoap #ecolaundry #lowtoxcleaning #ecofriendlyhome #ecofriendlyhouse #laundryliquid #laundrypowder #laundrysoap #naturalcleaning #chemicalfreecleaning #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Play room goals!👌🏻 This is just one room fr Play room goals!👌🏻

This is just one room from today's real house tour which I really love because in employing interior designer @issyandhcreative the owners weren't looking for a complete rip out and re-do but rather to work with what they had in their new suburban home (including a dated kitchen) and give it a largely cosmetic glow up with styling and new furniture (some of which was upcycled). 

The brief was to create a family friendly home. "They weren't looking for perfection but rather a warm and relaxing retreat for their busy young family." This playroom though? Pretty close to perfect! And the mum did the colour coded books herself. Love that😁

Head over to the blog now via link in bio to see the rest of this home.

#playroomideas #playroomgoals #playroomdecor #familyhomes #kidfriendlyhome #kidfriendlyinteriors #familyhomedecor #sustainabledecor #affordablerenovations #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #beanbagchair #beanbags #colourcodedbooks #colourcoded #toyroom #kidsroomdesign 

Pix by @tealily
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Cindy Paskalina Kweesar

About Cindy Paskalina Kweesar

Cindy is interning at Interiors Addict as part of her journalism and communication postgraduate studies at the University of New South Wales.

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