Located in the enclave of Middle Park, Melbourne, lies Terracotta House - a sensitive amalgamation of heritage architecture and contemporary design. Thoughtfully reimagined with a modern lens by Matyas Architects - marking a poignant return to the property they first engaged with over 20 years ago - an architectural narrative embracing both the old and new is crafted through the language of materiality.
At the heart of this synthesis lies a considered approach to materiality, curating a synergetic flow between the modern and heritage aspects of the property. To bridge the aesthetic divide between the old and new, Matyas Architects employed the use of Austral Bricks’ SK1N Potenza across the exterior of the newly built portion of the property.
Developed in Italy, SK1N’s ceramic surface and expert handcraftsmanship imbues the contemporary extension with a sense of enduring elegance - embracing the home in a seamless uniform of material expression, whilst not causing the homeowners to compromise on the benefits of state-of-the-art material design.
The colourful palette used throughout the home echoes the rich terracotta tones of the project’s exterior, with burgundies, leather, and timber hues saturating the space. Throughout the extension, a contemporary design language composed of angular forms unfolds with enduring elegance - with light-filled communal zones delivering a sense of calm, sophistication, and airiness. As with the exterior of the home, this combination of contemporary composition with traditional, tactile materiality and colours steeps the interiors with a welcoming, tranquil, and warm sensibility - creating a timeless family environment to be enjoyed for generations.
More than a mere extension, Matyas Architects revisiting of Terracotta House is a nuanced dialogue between tradition, innovation, old and new - across both the physical design of the project itself, and Matyas Architects over 20 year evolution to journey back to this project. With the integration of Austral Bricks’ SK1N Potenza into the home’s design, Terracotta House is imbued with traditional design integrity of ceramic tiling, whilst simultaneously receiving the modern craftsmanship and sophistication that this state-of-the-art material delivers.
"To bridge the aesthetic divide between the old and new, Matyas Architects employed the use of Austral Bricks’ SK1N Potenza across the exterior of the newly built portion of the property.
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Materials Selection
Terracotta Cladding
Developed in Italy - SK1N's DNA is intimately connected to timeless and iconic European craftsmanship. Combining the enduring beauty of terracotta with contemporary ceramic techniques and colours, it has a range of imaginative applications, from unique facades to distinctive roof lines - all united in one seamless material expression. Clean lines and seamless uniformity, these are the words that fill a design-perfectionist's heart with joy. As if offering a warm embrace, the innovative shiplap profile of San Selmo's SK1N wraps its projects with the refined and calming beauty of a single cohesive material.
Austral Bricks SK1N Potenza
Matyas Architects
Nicole England
Terracotta House