Located in Parkville, an inner-city suburb of Melbourne, Australia, Parkville House is a hidden home by Placement that has been architecturally layered, allowing the family plenty of space to live. Bookended by a beautiful parkland, the Victorian terrace has a charming street presence, with its lattice work façade, neutral tones and contemporary aesthetics. Once inside, the modern reworking enhances the home’s character and charm. Placement worked within the existing volume of the hidden home and prioritised light as well as access to the outdoors. Additionally, the clients did not want an open plan home, which allowed Placement to create and implement an interior design plan that was more intimate and considered.
As the house tour leads us past the entrance, it reveals a modest hallway filled with natural light. To the right on the ground floor is a living room that provides a soft, calming aesthetic and operates as both a home office and space for retreat. Beyond this is the kitchen, a central space within the hidden home that offers a moody atmosphere with dark tones and marble countertops. On one side is a large, curved window that welcomes in northern light and will, over time, overlook a small kitchen garden. Opposite is a large bank of joinery that hides a bar, fridge, laundry and linen cupboard. Beyond the kitchen, the house tour reveals a fireplace, record station and large banquet dining table.
For the more passive rooms, the master bedroom is located on the ground floor, just off the kitchen, and is also moody in design with little incoming sunlight. Therefore, Placement has leaned into this darkness and created a room with a natural low light. Additionally, the ensuite complements the moody aesthetic with a palette inspired by the Victorian era, featuring red brick tiles and a curved mirror. The upstairs contains the main lounge room space that also has a balcony to view the parklands from. Furthermore, the interior design of the teenagers’ rooms, which have their own refined bathrooms, evokes a calm and soft sensitivity. By working with the existing footprint of the residence, Placement has created a hidden home that both pays homage to the dwelling’s history and embraces contemporary liveability.
00:00 – Introduction to the Hidden Home
00:32 – An Inner-City Location
01:04 – Encompassing Light and Outdoor Connection
01:30 – A Walkthrough of the Hidden Home
03:03 – The Victorian Moody Material Palettes
03:41 – The Calm and Soft Spaces for the Children
04:30 – Proud Moments
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Photography by Tom Ross.
Architecture and Interior Design by Placement.
Build by Original Projects.
Styling by Jess Kneebone.
Engineering by Structural Bureau.
Filmed and Edited by Dan Preston.
Production by The Local Project.
Location: Parkville, Victoria, Australia
The Local Project acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners of the land in Australia. We recognise the importance of First Nations peoples in the identity of our country and continuing connections to Country and community. We pay our respect to Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations people of these lands.
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