Hello House: This Has to Be the Friendliest House on the Block!
creative studio. Of course it's hard to miss the most unique aspect of the home — the word 'HELLO' is emblazoned across its new white brick facade to greet the neighbourhood.
Many renovated Victorian homes follow a standard format — an inward looking home with a modern extension to the rear. The Hello House could have been one of these typical extensions, but luckily the clients were interested in exploring the idea that their project should be more than just a private home. The clients were trusting, passionate, creative and fun. They are people who are interested in ideas, but not 'bling'.
Architects often talk about how a design relates to its neighbourhood, or the 'conversation' it makes with its surroundings. In this case, Hello House literally starts a conversation with the cafe-goers across the road.
"Sitting on a corner opposite the local cafe, the area is a hub of activity for the neighbourhood, a sort of mini-civic centre. Rather than using the house as a tool to shut themselves off, we thought it could be a way to be part of the 'village' they loved. Our conversations led to the most distinctive feature of the home, the 'Hello' wall, designed collaboratively with Melbourne artist Rose Nolan."
The budget is used wisely in this project, "One of the things with this house is that – while we may have spent more money on things like the Hello wall and the joinery – it wasn't a question of buying flashy, shiny materials and expensive designer furniture; we used commonly available materials, but paid skilled people to put in the extra time and thought to treat the materials with craft", explains architect Fooi-Ling Khoo.
The materials OOF! chose to use are more commonly associated with low budget industrial structures — ordinary materials like plywood, brickwork and industrial trusses. But OOF! craft these humble materials in such a way to make them extraordinary. There is an investment in ideas and craft rather than 'stuff'.
Externally, the architects were keen to make a building that would resonate with the surrounding neighbourhood and offer a positive contemporary approach to living within the heritage rich fabric of the inner city.
Due to a change in circumstances, the design process was stalled for over 5 years! This allowed the architects to reconsider what elements were really necessary. The Hello wall may not have come about had it not been for this 'resting' time for the design.
neighbourhood, Hello House is a slightly loud but friendly new face in the street.
If you love the way Hello House gives back to the street, you'd love house-come-public-art, Polygreen. Or if you like a fun approach to a corner site, take a look at Profile House.