It’s not often that you can describe architecture as “cute,” but OOF! Architecture succeeded in that regard with their renovation of an old Victorian shophouse in Melbourne. In an example of what we like to think of as “passive friendliness” the brick facade of the home greets people as they walk by. White bricks arranged in varying depths say “hello” with a form that reminds us of Lego blocks or old computer terminal fonts. The message is almost at odds with the building’s appearance— nothing is more stand-offish than a solid wall of brick— but the designers subverted that by sneaking a window in the hollow space created by the “O.”
The firm states of the project:
“A skin of brick is all it takes to keep a secret and two worlds exist happily side by side with a public face that cheerfully greets the street while giving nothing away about the world behind. Inside, the house adjusts to the needs and moods of its residents – a cosy retreat in winter or an airy pavilion in summer – all secret from the outside world.
“Rather than blending in or blanding out of its heritage-ous neighbourhood, Hello House is a slightly loud but friendly new face in the street.”
The project won a People’s Choice Award at the 2014 ArchiTeam Awards, according to the designers.
Bill Rodgers is a Contributing Editor at CFile.
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The Hello House by OOF! Architecture. Photographs by Nic Granleese.
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