Pigeon Pair
DONCASTER EAST
The Challenge
HOUSING SUSTAINABILITY AND AFFORDABILITY
The clients, two generations of one family, had each been facing similar difficulties finding suitable and affordable housing in their local neighbourhood. The predominant housing type, of older, single dwellings on large suburban blocks, did not suit either the downsizing parents or the active young family. Both groups were seeking lower maintenance and a more accessible price point. The complexity and costs for each to update or rebuild their homes would have pushed the projects beyond feasible limits. It was over a family dinner that idea shared solution was hatched to solve both party’s problems.
What if …
...TWO BIRDS COULD BE GOT WITH ONE STONE?
We saw this challenge as an opportunity to test a mutually beneficial model of intergenerational living. Addressing the issues of flexibility and comfort associated with multi-generational families living under the one roof, this model pooled financial resources of both parties to purchase a single property, subdivide it—effectively halving the land cost—and leverage economy of scale to deliver two similar yet individual homes. Each party gains a manageable-sized block and a new, low-maintenance, high-performance home. It was also an opportunity to push back against the standard ‘cookie cutter’ townhouse development approach accepted as the status quo in Melbourne’s middle suburbs.
Same-same, but different
FIT FOR PURPOSE
As a pair, these homes share a coherent external appearance, but yet each individually tailored to the needs and preferences of their owners.
The living areas of the family home provide flexibility as the kids grow, from needing play space and supervision, to wanting autonomy and privacy. The TV wall offers informal separation between the Living and Kitchen spaces, softening the open plan, but preserving a sense of interaction between these spaces. Clever and concealed storage supports the organised functioning of a busy family. Contemporary fittings and fixtures and a fresh palette help the home to feel fun and playful.
Next door, Grandma and Grandpa’s house has a more formal and sophisticated character. The main bedroom suite is on the ground floor, with an ensuite that includes an integrated seat in the shower and additional in-wall structural support adjacent to the bath and toilet for future grab rails. Similarly, should mobility become an issue, a lift is provided for futureproofed access to the upper level. A laundry with work surface is the buffer between the backyard and the kitchen, ideal for outdoor projects and pottering, or as an extension of the kitchen when the whole family descends.
Multi-mode living
FLEXIBLE SPACES TO SUIT CHANGING NEEDS
Each home has a single consolidated living space with a direct connection to the kitchen and a north-facing backyard. To avoid the pitfalls of open-plan, these spaces were carefully arranged and designed to suit their anticipated needs.
For Grandma and Grandpa’s house, this focused on the kitchen and its connection to the living and dining spaces. For the most part these spaces would benefit from being open to one another, sometimes one activity would interfere with the other. Sliding glass screens, partly frosted, allow separation and control of noise, view (and smell!). The living room adaptable too, catering to hosting guests, as well as relaxing while catching up on the latest news or TV series. To achieve this, the cabinetry was designed to conceal the TV as required, changing the focus of the room.
For the young family, the raised adjacent living zone makes a fun and engaging playroom while the kids are young. Over time, it can evolve into a casual hangout with the addition of a few bean bags (and video game consoles). Sliding screens to both the main living and hallway sides allow the room to grow and shrink in response to the activities is accommodates. One day, when toys or privacy from Mum and Dad are no longer required, it may even become a space more formally designated to relaxation and reflection, reminiscent of its tea-room inspiration.
Sense of Arrival
A WELCOMING, FUNCTIONAL SPACE
At Pigeon Pair, the process of arrival gives each home an immediate sense of individuality. A shared design language ties the pair together, yet each has its own unique configuration and sense of welcoming.
The family home porch greets visitors with a fresh peach tone that continues into the entry. The grandparents’ home, set slightly higher, welcomes guests with a relaxing matcha. The back-to-back porches are buffered from the street by a batten screen and the shared front garden. Battening is used to articulate the building façades, the underside of the porch ceilings, and the front doors.
Inspired by traditional Japanese home design, the genkan-style entries set two steps below the main floor serve a very functional purpose. In both homes, the front and internal garage doors open into this space to welcome in both guests and the homeowners. Each space contains a bench seat plus various drawers and cupboards for discarded shoes, keys, jackets, school bags and the other flotsam and jetsam that live by the front door. A custom lantern above adds a soft, warm glow at night.