The tiny Pocket House, designed by Whiting Architects in collaboration with Fisher & Paykel, cleverly utilises every inch of useable space in this minimalist Melbourne terrace.
When Whiting Architects were approached to renovate a tiny Melbourne terrace on a footprint of just 96m2, they rose to the challenge, seeing it as an opportunity to prioritise quality of space over quantity. Likening the design and construction process of the Pocket House to ‘building a ship in a bottle’ due to the restricted site access, the final result is an achievement of design that takes restrictions and reimagines them as opportunities.
The clients, a professional young couple who like to entertain, needed living space for just the two of them and their large dog, with enough room to allow guests to visit. The kitchen, commonly a social hub for entertaining guests, was a well-thought out space in the tiny Pocket House. Whiting Architects worked closely with Fisher & Paykel to achieve a fair balance of functionality and aesthetic in the kitchen. Steven Whiting, founder of Whiting Architects said,
“The owners love to cook so they wanted high quality, hard-working appliances. We wanted to play down the look of the kitchen. So the need for functional appliances that blended seamlessly into our design was paramount and Fisher & Paykel do this extremely well. The appliances are discrete and practical but when on show they still look great. We’ve had nothing but praise for Fisher & Paykel from all our clients.”
The Pocket House is furnished with Fisher & Paykel appliances which seamlessly blend into the kitchen cabinetry. With integrated appliances, the architects were able to utilise the space on offer without disturbing the minimalist design. The integrated appliances allow a seamless movement between the living, dining, utility and kitchen areas. The integrated DishDrawer™ and fridge freezer are discreetly hidden away and invisible to those unaware, yet their large capacities prove extremely practical. The dark oven and hob discreetly match the dark timber joinery and monochrome palette, while the washer dryer is hidden under the stairs – the two-in-one washer dryer meant the clients did not have to sacrifice more space for a separate dryer.
Josie Somerville, Whiting Architects design coordinator said,
“The selection of appliances from Fisher & Paykel allowed us to make the most efficient use of space, and in a tight area this made a big difference. Fisher & Paykel really listen to designers and have worked with us to create the products that designers want. When selecting appliances for a project, we like everything to complement each other and work together. The appliances are well designed and slimline, tying them in with the simple and monochrome palette of the kitchen.”