The Creative Power of Constraint - Silhouette Hytte House by FIGR Architects

The simple pitched roof is also key to achieving the programmatic brief that called for three bedrooms and two bathrooms with open-plan kitchen, living, study and dining space on the small 210m2 site. The pitch of the roof lends volume to the interior which enhances a sense of space, while strategic subtractions in the envelope of the home create openings to light and programme amenity.

A simple yet warm internal material palette continues the use of silvertop ash, the warmth of the timber lending the otherwise-minimalist interior a sense of approachability while defining zones within the open-plan space. A box-form insertion into the building envelope allows an expansion of the dining area, which is lined with timber to create a light-filled dining space that is set within the garden. Moving into the bathroom, timber is combined with terrazzo, stone vanity-tops and rectilinear tiles to create a more complex, layered materiality that is complementary to the simplicity of the larger spaces in the home.

The Silhouette Hytte House is an exemplar of the creative power of constraints. Here, the numerous challenges of the site have been interpreted creatively, undoubtedly leading to a more refined, considered and developed design response. The result is a clean and minimalist yet character-filled contemporary home that is respectful and responsive to the neighbourhood’s rich heritage context.