The Fitzroy Bridge House entails the conversion of a historically significant terrace house in a heritage pocket of South Fitzroy, Melbourne. Designed for a young family deeply connected to the building’s history, the conversion celebrates the site’s legacy while accommodating responsive family living on a challenging site.

Rather than a contrasting addition, the design interprets the character of the area through a series of separate self-similar buildings, resembling traditional Mews structures. The objectives were to bring light and air into the site’s centre, connecting the buildings while maintaining privacy, maximising the upper-level footprint, and providing a self-contained rear bedroom/study with separate access.

The project showcases a progressive approach to architecture through its adaptive reuse of the existing masonry façade and the use of reclaimed materials. The restoration of the heritage structure preserves the cultural heritage of the neighbourhood and promotes the building’s longevity.

Notably, the arrangement of separate buildings connected by a breezeway and a glass bridge creates a unique spatial experience. The interior spaces feature a tactile material palette, combining fabric, light timbers, concrete, and bluestone, while playful curves and pops of colour add character.

The Fitzroy Bridge House stands out for its creative adaptation of the site, emphasising contextual connection, sustainability, and a rich architectural narrative.

Furniture: Tait Furniture, Wood Melbourne, Otomys Gallery, B&B Italia, Space Furniture, Ames, Halcyon Lake, Something Beginning With, The Plant Society, Hay, Cult Furniture, Fred International, Camm Upholstery, Ariake, Apato, Hub Furniture, James Makin Gallery. Poliform, Loom Rugs, Grazia & Co, Niagara Gallery, Gervasoni, Anibou, Design Stuff, Ligne Roset, Domo, Angelucci 20th Century, Armadillo, Outstation gallery, Designer Rugs, Jardan, Mubu Home, Living Edge. Lighting: Handvard, Fred International, Hub Furniture, Volker Haug, Cult Design, Euroluce, Inlite, Anchor Ceramics, Criteria Collection, Trizo21, Great Dane. Finishes: Taubmans, Dulux, Trusted Tiles, Bespoke Stone, Austral Bricks, Dinesen, Unique Fabrics, Clearview Sun Control, Urban Salvage, Eveneer, Keenan Harris, Xtreme Marble. Fittings & Fixtures: Wolf, Qasair, Miele, KWC Swiss, Franke, ZIP, Brodware, Big River Group, Instyle, Stonetile industries, Duravit, Apaiser, Astra Walker, Rogerseller, Perini, Roca, Gerberit, Beefeater, Pitella.

Photography: Derek Swalwell

Traditional Custodians: Land of The Wurundjeri-willam people of the Kulin Nation