Ruckers Hill House sits on a corner block at the crest of Ruckers Hill in Northcote, in an Edwardian that was close to decline. Studio Bright restored its original forms and details and kept the old plan with a central passage and rooms either side. That's where the bedrooms, bathrooms and laundry are. Director Mel Bright calls this part "the architectural equivalent of comfort food."
The new pavilion behind it plays by different rules. Cream brick, bronze and concrete outside, warm timber, neutral ceramic tiles and bright textiles and custom vanities inside. Each room is set up for one family member's particular interest, yet changes role easily. The living room is a music space, and a heavy curtain can be pulled across to make impromptu theatre, with steps serving as the stage edge. Upstairs, two multipurpose rooms hold a library, lounge, guest room and study.
