Victoria by Finnis

Seeking a place that functioned as both a home and commercial site, the owner of Victoria crafted a complex brief for a calming space his clients could appreciate. The building houses commercial spaces across the first two floors and a two-bedroom apartment situated above, offering a multipurpose that navigates heritage, functionality and a narrow land. 

Harnessing the heritage context of Melbourne’s Albert Park, Finnis established a sophisticated response to a compact site, elevated by its striking materiality. 

Standing tall amidst a blanket of red brick homes, Victoria spans three levels that read as one, occupying a commercial shopping strip and residential rear laneway. Austral Bricks Industrial in Char lay in patterned format over the rear laneway, a tactile and monochromatic reference to the makeage of the surrounding architecture. 

Sustaining its duality through material, the hit-and-miss brickwork creates moments for natural light to transform interior spaces as the sun moves through the sky. Alternatively, the shopfront façade is embellished with assertive black metal mesh, offering sun protection and privacy to the terraced areas as they embrace. 

Drawing upon the dark tones of the exterior, the interiors of both the lower two commercial floors and upper residential maintain a sophisticated palette. The two-bedroom apartment uses grey at its base, giving way to deep, vibrant colours and brushed brass accents to enliven the space. Opulent marble benchtop features across all levels, drawing clients and visitors in. Enriching the narrow confines of its interiors is the private rooftop terrace that extends the home’s footage – a rarity for its building type. This alfresco area offers inhabitants direct access to the outside, while soaking in expansive views beyond. 

Victoria asserts a refined response to a complex brief, establishing a versatile, comfortable and luxurious residence atop a considered series of commercial spaces below. 

“Sustaining its duality through material, the hit-and-miss brickwork creates moments for natural light to transform interior spaces as the sun moves through the sky.”

“Sustaining its duality through material, the hit-and-miss brickwork creates moments for natural light to transform interior spaces as the sun moves through the sky.”