Melting into the evening sky

Australian Lisa Simons Architects – LSA – has created a special house called South Yarra House. The residence makes a statement within a densely populated, eclectic South Yarra streetscape, capturing your gaze and holding your attention as you approach, enter and explore the home.
The first floor is the focal element of the building; a voluminous rectangular ‘box’ with a contemporary external palette that commands attention. Three orange hues were individually applied to cement sheet panels in a ‘random’ nature; with the changing colours of the sky as a contrasting backdrop to the earth-toned oranges, an engaging joyous quality has been created.
Upon entering the house, the white ceiling of the hallway abruptly gives way to the overhead insertion of the first floor orange ‘box’, reminding the viewer of their connection with the coloured volume, which was first observed on approach of the residence. Arched glazing either side of the dining area physically separates interior from exterior, yet enables views of the orange-clad ceiling wrapping to form the external walls of the first floor, increasing connection to the exterior and the building as a whole.
The intelligent, playful design delivers an airy, light-filled dwelling in a tight urban context. Interior and exterior constantly reference each other through colour and form, blurring boundaries and enhancing spaciousness.