The Fisher House

In the Melbourne suburb of Warrandyte, architect Adriana Hanna gives an iconic mid-century house structure and flow.

Respectful Renovation

Built by legendary Australian designer Alastair Knox in 1969, the Fisher House in Melbourne retains much of its mid-century charm, including a robust local material palette of red brick flooring and internal walls, cedar, blackbutt and terracotta. Architect Adriana Hanna retained this while also developing a new layout that increases amenity and creates a better flow between the internal spaces.

Project Type: Suburban Home

Location: Warrandyte, Melbourne

Architect: Adriana Hanna

Photographer: Gavin Green

Creating Flow

The central living space is open and connected, with an open fireplace between the living and dining areas that is a natural gravitational point. The kitchen utilizes its original footprint and is therefore modest in size. However, it is surrounded by windows and the material palette now flows through seamlessly into its spotted gum timber joinery and brick flooring, further creating a sense of continuation between the spaces.

Interior shot of a kitchen featuring a Fisher & Paykel integrated refrigerator

Less is more

Working with Fisher & Paykel to select both integrated and Contemporary style appliances for the kitchen was an essential part of paying respect to the modernist aesthetic. The owners had a “less is more” approach, reducing unnecessary detail and opting for a small selection of highly effective products, including a dishwasher, insert rangehood and refrigerator (all integrated) as well as an electric cooktop and an oven from the Contemporary Range.