Tear Away House is located in the highly sought-after heritage area of Ivanhoe. While the existing masonry structure remains connected to the neighbouring home, only a portion was retained to preserve that link. A vertical ‘tear’ was created in the original brickwork, marking a clear boundary between old and new.
A textured concrete finish on much of the first floor links the brickwork of the surrounding homes to the stacked design of the new build. We construct most of our projects in concrete, and here we embraced its raw finish to give the home a distinctive, tactile character.
The open-plan kitchen, living, and dining area is anchored by a ribbon-like black steel staircase. Extensive in-situ concrete walls run through the space, softened by a waterfall ceiling and rear wall crafted from custom-cut Tasmanian Oak, which cascades down into the basement below.
The property’s complex footprint has created a series of unique spaces, each requiring careful coordination of structure, services and finishes.
Designed by Splinter Society Architecture
Photography by Sharn Cairns