FAIRFIELD HACIENDA | MRTN Architects

On the fringe of Melbourne’s inner suburbs, this new family home sits in an established residential street of Victorian villas and Californian bungalows. From the footpath, the Fairfield Hacienda with its angled roof fits into the landscape of single-level homes, effortlessly picking up the street’s original pattern of hipped and gabled roof forms.

The design of the house was conceived of in two parts, base and roof. The grey concrete block base hollowed out to form the courtyard and living spaces; punched openings creating the impression of windows. The roof a warm cedar folded plane floats above, not connecting to the solid base below. A clear juxtaposition of material and form is created between the two parts.

The courtyard is a north facing room without a roof, except for a sheltering courtyard tree, an extension of the living and dining spaces that open onto it. It is also a semi-public space allowing interaction between the owners and local passers-by.

The Fairfield Hacienda was planned as a long-term family home for the owners and designed to sit comfortably within its local context, becoming part of its ongoing history.