Pocket Rocket House by Timmins + Whyte
Designed by Timmins + Whyte, Pocket Rocket House reimagines a traditional terrace on a narrow block into an efficient and light-filled home.
Words: Hande Renshaw | Photography: Tatjana Plitt
A light, neutral base palette ensures the spaces are made to feel as perceptively generous as possible. Photo: Tatjana Plitt
Adding light wells, courtyards and openable skylights can allow light and air into the darker central spaces,’ says Sally Timmins. Photo: Tatjana Plitt
Although the intent of the addition was to add valuable space, their positioning and solid nature resulted in blocking access to natural light and the transition between inside and out.Photo: Tatjana Plitt
Designed by Timmins + Whyte, Pocket Rocket House, set in Melbourne’s inner city, challenges the conventional renovation, focusing on natural light and emphasising the narrow, slight profile of the traditional terrace house as a feature to celebrate.
The interior has not been inhibited by its small footprint due to the rearrangement of spaces and volume. By separating the living space from the kitchen and dining space, each space feels generous and doesn’t mean squashing spaces or using caravan proportioned furniture.
‘The new design brings “pockets” of light and air into spaces that would generally not have been possible with original heritage terraces. It was also limited with the width of the site – by adding courtyards and a light-well we could build the rear space to the boundary and achieve the maximum width,’ says Sally Timmins.
These changes meant breaking the pattern of the identical heritage terraces on either side, who have typical floor plans with the bathroom taking up the valuable northern rear façade and a separately laundry in the rear shed.
Although the intent of the addition was to add valuable space, their positioning and solid nature resulted in blocking access to natural light and the transition between inside and out.
Timmins + Whyte used this as the impetus for the brief, replanning the home to bring sunlight inwards, connect the interior with the outdoors and make the overall home more functional and effective for its inhabitants.
‘A favourite feature for us are the roof garden plants, which have started to cascade down the façade and in particular cast some amazing shadows onto the white wall from the glass roof creating a moving work of art, the wall acting like a canvas,’ says Sally.
Pocket Rocket House is true to its namesake, sitting as an efficient yet effective series of spaces, combining old and new. Once dark and constrained, through reinterpreting the terrace typology’s defining qualities, the home now feels open and connected.
‘The large bronze tinted mirror splashback in the kitchen was intended and does achieve the bouncing of light and reflection of the outdoors – this expands the room visually to the rear deck and garden,’ says Sally Timmins. Photo: Tatjana Plitt
‘For us, the towering doors allow light deep into the kitchen and dining space and expand the space visually and physically out to the rear yard,’ says Sally Timmins. Photo: Tatjana Plitt
“There was a lot of programme to fit in. This is where it got its nickname ‘pocket rocket house’ – it’s small but it achieves a lot.”
Adding light wells, courtyards and openable skylights can allow light and air into the darker central spaces – this will limit the amount of air conditioning and artificial light required, which is good for both the environment and the hip pocket,’ says Sally Timmins. Photo: Tatjana Plitt
By viewing the challenges of the site as opportunities, the team worked to arrange the various zones to better align with their function and allow areas to bleed into one another. Photo: Tatjana Plitt
The new light-filled ensuite on the upper level. Photo: Tatjana Plitt
On the upper level, a main bedroom, ensuite and two outdoor roof gardens are inserted, all with access to light and the skyline beyond. Photo: Tatjana Plitt