The project carried the title ‘Heritage House.’ The Local Project article – see https://thelocalproject.com.au/articles/heritage-house-by-wolveridge-architects-project-feature-the-local-project/ : Woven Sensitivity – Heritage House by Wolveridge Architects - presented the text and an array of some 18 isolated images illustrating detailed portions of this project that had been chosen to be revealed by the eye of the camera operator as jigsaw pieces - a collection of special visions selected by the architectural photographer Derek Swalwell: Derek Swalwell: Photograph Derek Swalwell https://www.derekswalwell.com +
The text was read and re-read to try to discover just where this house might be: one likes to see projects in their broader context, their ‘Street View,’ rather than only in the special, rarefied isolation of the lens, a framing perhaps ‘enhanced’ as a ‘photoshopped’ image. Alas, there was no obvious indication of location in the text or in the images; one merely had the opportunity to read the architect’s words and peruse the fragmented pictorials selected for publication in order to assess the ‘heritage’ outcome. It seemed that the location was irrelevant, in spite of the name chosen for this project and the title of the text that suggested a true sensitivity had been expressed for the context the house had been designed for. Why not reveal the 'warp and weft' of this suburb that the building has stitched itself into as a ‘sensitive’ patch?
In order to see if one could find out the actual location of this house, the architect’s site was opened to glean any available, useful information. Yes, there was a clue: the Heritage House was in Wurundjeri, (Camberwell, Victoria), but there was no more detail to help identify a specific site in this 5.8sqkm suburb known for its grand, historic residences and tranquil, leafy streets. It is commonly regarded as one of Melbourne's most prestigious and exclusive suburbs. https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Camberwell, Victoria.
Google Earth was opened to reveal the sprawling Camberwell region, and the search began. One was looking for a house with a hipped roof form, with an additional block mass on top, located at the corner of a street and an old lane in the heritage area of this suburb. There were no plans to help identify a particular location, or any north point; just a sketched section illustrating the tricky transition between hip and the floor above, in a drawing that also showed how specific heights and more functional areas had been cleverly squeezed into the tight, approx. 565sqm site with a cunning basement.
One thought that these criteria might be sufficient for a search, but this turned out to be a real ‘needle in the haystack’ task: nothing obvious could be seen. There was the thought that the aerial view of the suburb might be older than this project, meaning that the site might never be found. So the photographs of the project were revisited to search for even the slightest clue with a more inquiring, forensic eye. Most of these published images were arty parts of isolated interior or exterior details; but one external photograph held a vital reference almost as an aside – it showed a portion of a classic Victorian church spire in the background to the right of the house. One had seen this church in the earlier perusal of the suburb on Google Earth, so it was easy to find again. The most likely location for the house, one that had to be west, and a little south of the church, Trinity Presbyterian Church, was selected: it was a corner block from which this spire could have been photographed so as to appear as it did in the image. The challenge was that the building seen in the aerial view at this corner location was not the ‘Heritage House.’ Might this have been the cottage that had been demolished for this new project? One wondered what this old place might be like, so moved to Street View, only to have the new house revealed in all its glory at 27 Fermanagh Road, Camberwell, Victoria. Would one never know what the old place looked like; might realestate.com be useful here?#
The location was indeed full of ‘grand, historic’ Victorian cottages with coloured brickwork, frills of lace, and bold chimneys. How did this new ‘heritage’ place fit in? Might it all really be just about height, repetition in the street elevation, hipped roofs, and block forms over? If the architects were so proud of their work as to name it ‘Heritage House,’ why were they so reluctant to reveal its exact location? Surely the title begs the question: what heritage?, leaving one to wonder how the new ‘warp and weft’ – it was said to be ‘woven’ - sensitively fitted into the old?
The images that have been chosen to be exhibited are the cunningly framed, stylish interior details, along with a few carefully composed portions of the exterior. One is left with a suggestive set of jigsaw pieces that seek to tell one how to see the reconstructed project. Ordinary, everyday Street View vistas are avoided, even when one is told that this context is the core of the rationale for this project’s identity, shaping its unique care for place and history. Strangely, one has to rely on a chance opportunity – the appearance of the spire – to know anything more of the actual region.
The jigsaw pieces.
One is left feeling sceptical about intentions here, and approaches the place with a more critical eye that tests the claims of subtlety. Architecture is far more than arty things nicely selected for the eye to pleasure on. Architecture comes to us as a lived whole; a necessary part of place that is, in turn, an integral part of the project. We see and sense place well before we discover the project, yet it seems that this vital, integral wholeness is an irrelevance; that architecture today is all style; a collage of considered, pretty fragments to drool over; a set that carries the inference that the whole can be optimistically experienced likewise, with an equivalent panache, when the assumption that the parts can define the whole may prove to be false.
If we are going to get some true substance back into architecture, it needs to do more with and for others, rather than boast about its sole, singular identity that is presented as a charming, creative wonder in spite of the neighbours. This fragmentary approach might be that of all architecture today; but here, with this project, we have the statement that this is a ‘Heritage House,’ and all that this implies. Oddly, it seems to be a house keen to boast about its sensitivity to a place that it appears to want to ignore.
The Street View images of Fermanagh Road, Camberwell might help fill in the gaps and assist in understanding more about this project.
#
realesate.com site first showed the new property, noting that it was not for sale, but that it could possibly be rented for about $930 a week (updated 18 December 2023). The next realesate.com site, an older listing, showed the previous property. It was a modest brick cottage with a tiled roof on a site approximately 565 sqm, with cosy interiors and a typical ‘Australian’ backyard.
The onthehouse.com.au site had more details; the old property had been last sold on 19 December 2015 for $2.5 million: current estimates placed the value at $2.5 to 3 million – last updates 18 December 2023. The site does yet not acknowledge the new house.
The typical real estate blurb is interesting. The text has been reproduced as it originally appeared:
Last Listing description (November 2015)
FOR MANY YEARS A TOPIC OF INTEREST, THE SUBJECT OF SPECULATION AND AN OBJECT OF DESIRE, THIS COVETED ALLOTMENT OF SOME 565SQM ENJOYS AN ADDRESS WIDELY ACKNOWLEDGED AS ONE OF CAMBERWELL'S FINEST. CURRENTLY, AN ORIGINAL FOUR BEDROOM, TWO BATHROOM HOME FEATURING A BRIGHT LIVING/DINING AREA, A SEPARATE CENTRAL FAMILY ROOM/MEALS AREA AND A FUNCTIONAL KITCHEN OCCUPIES THE PRIVILEGED PROPORTIONS OF THE BLOCK. SERVICEABLE TODAY, ACCOMPANIED BY A SIDE DRIVE AND GARAGE/STORAGE, THIS HOME IS DESTINED FOR REPLACEMENT WITH A NEW RESIDENCE, STCA, THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THE ONGOING APPEAL OF A LEAFY STREETSCAPE SO CLOSE TO SCHOOLS AND CAMBERWELL JUNCTION. YOUVE WATCHED AND WAITED FINALLY THE TIME HAS ARRIVED.
*
NOTE:
In relation to the option to do something with the old house, see: French architects, Anne Lacation and Jean-Philippe Vassal who promote the joy of reusing the old rather than demolishing it: see - https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/dec/10/anne-lacaton-and-jean-philippe-vassal-soane-medal: (see reproduced in https://voussoirs.blogspot.com/2023/12/lacation-vassal-joy-of-reusing-buildings.html)
Their approach is a breath of fresh air in an architectural world now concentrating on the self-importance of bespoke expression and style. One has to consider the intentions in removing the old brick home at 27 Fermanagh Road, Camberwell, with the ambitions to achieve what we see replacing it, complete with a basement – obliterating everything this little brick home once stood for. What are the differences here? What values do these desires promote/embody?
Might one say that this project is somewhat careless with both heritage and history? What has it done to the memories of what Camberwell once was with its mix of modest brick homes in amongst the decorated ladies, let alone being Wurundjeri country? Must all places become stylishly homogeneous in appearance to be desirable?
THE ARTICLE
The Local Project
Woven Sensitivity – Heritage House by Wolveridge Architects
Words by Bronwyn Marshall
Architecture by Wolveridge Architects
Photography by Derek Swalwell
Build by Preferred Properties
Interior Design by Wolveridge Architects
Styling by Bland Connard Menzies
Landscape Design by Gardens By Design
Set amid character-rich surrounds, Heritage House called for a sensitive approach – one that bridges an appropriate response to place and acknowledges context. Wolveridge Architects weaves thoughtfully curated and handmade gestures throughout the home as a way to ensure the owner’s character is present as well as connect to the area’s narrative.
On approach, Heritage House appears through a meticulously landscaped entry that serves as a prelude to the considered architectural detailing and junctions within. Classical style references carry from the exterior into the interior, while the height of the home aligns with the streetscape. Wolveridge Architects pays homage to the past through an elevated approach that expresses a weighted materiality among textured and natural finishes.
On approach, Heritage House appears through a meticulously landscaped entry that serves as a prelude to the considered architectural detailing and junctions within.
Sited on a compact allotment, the form needed to make the most of the available area. The residence’s constructed environment merges seamlessly with the surrounding garden. The material palette is also grounded in a combination of dark, heritage, pressed brick, slate and grey stucco. The added second level tucks itself into the extended roofline, with dorma-type windows that peek out of the slope on one side. Bringing in light, yet not over-stimulating the retreat spaces that sit within this space, the openings allow sightlines to the surrounds yet protect privacy.
The visual narrative is one that tells a story of place and the people living within and allows the spaces to feel immersive and cocooning. Connecting multiple stories, a sculptural staircase celebrates movement while having a character of its own. Timber then brings a natural and textural component to the form and breaks up an otherwise dark material palette.
Wolveridge Architects pays homage to the past through an elevated approach that expresses a weighted materiality among textured and natural finishes.
Despite the challenges with inserting a new build among such established homes, Heritage House emerges with its own sense of identity. Wolveridge Architects brings a boldness through its contemporary interpretation of the traditional yet uses sensitivity to ensure an appropriateness of place triumphs.
p.30 Wren, (Christopher, the architect of St. Paul's Cathedral, London), belonged to a broader and more generous time. He was a universalist, imagining the whole rather than fancying the parts.
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