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| Reproduction Warehouse |
| Can't find a warehouse to live in? This couple built their own! |
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Nadine and David Lawson opted for a complete lifestyle change when they left their reproduction Victorian home, complete with antique furniture, and built a three-storey "warehouse" building in Williamstown, Melbourne.
The block they chose was the former site of a 19th century coach house and was only 6.5m x 15m. Taking almost a year to complete, the project encountered a few difficulties. Due to the tight building space, and the desire for a three-level structure (almost 10m high), around $35,000 worth of steel bracing was needed - along with a crane to position it. But they moved in 18 months ago, and are delighted with their "interactive" home and its open spaces and high ceilings.
The ground floor contains a four-car garage and laundry (connected by a chute from the ensuite upstairs), enclosed behind steel roller doors. The next level accommodates the living area, with a modern kitchen situated at one end and a two-level-high living space at the other. Featuring mahogany veneer and stainless steel benchtops, with green-tinted glass splashbacks, the kitchen cupboards also complement the modern design theme.
Efficient hydronic heating, using gas-heated water pipes (similar to the workings of a car radiator), maintains the temperature. Although expensive to install, the system is reasonably cheap to run and can heat the living area in around five minutes. A wall-mounted fireplace was also installed, but mainly as part of the overall design rather than out of necessity.
One important design feature is the use of curved walls and a large curved stainless steel kitchen bench to break up the otherwise rigid living areas. The use of warm colours is also recommended. The bench was built at bar height and is a great prop for those pre-meal drinks. A metal bridge, or industrial catwalk, links the front and back bedrooms without boxing in the vast floor-to-ceiling space.
Original 100-year-old oregon roof beams (from a local woolshed) have been left exposed to support the open-design look. The 10cm wooden floorboards were salvaged from a 120-year-old house in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, while the main bedroom contains a partially frosted circular window that gives a nautical, yet modern feel and also provides privacy. Warehouse living may not be for everyone, but this couple is certainly "at one" with their modern environment.
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More Info
Builder: Garnaut Constructions, ph: (03) 9525 6818
Thanks to David Lawson at Hocking Stuart Real Estate, Williamstown
Ph: (03) 9399 9888.
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Disclaimer
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