Wowowa Apply Their Signature Colour and Fun Style to a 1960s Melbourne Home
Step into Pony by Wowowa where the focus was on reviving a 1960s home with an injection of character and colour.
Words: Hande Renshaw | Photography: Martina Gemmola
The fun and playful kitchen embraces the most vibrant colour scheme, from banana Paddle Pop yellow benches to pastel pink cabinetry. Photo: Martina Gemola.
The kitchen space featuring the confectionary-like speckled pink terrazzo splash-back. Photo: Martina Gemola.
Pastel pink cabinetry is a bold feature in the kitchen space. Photo: Martina Gemola.
Walking into Pony in Melbournes Brighton East is reminiscent of walking into a confectionary store as a child. The sheer joy!
With its pink pastel kitchen joinery, banana Paddle Pop yellow benchtop, speckled pink splash back and apricot coloured brickwork, this is a home with a vibrant and punchy interior palette – a signature style for Wowowa, who aren’t afraid to inject fun into a space.
The 1960s design of the interior was heavily inspired by the clients’ energetic family of six.
‘Reflecting their personal aesthetic through form, materiality and colour, the interiors are an accretion of small moments of delight that allow a family to find a quiet moment alone or come together,’ says Wowowa.
Drawing inspiration from a nearby beach, the architects designed an extension with a unique roof form similar to a boat, using construction methodology akin to a keel, bow and stern.
The extension focused on reworking the original home, without demolishing it, and adding a new extension.
The rear area of the home serves as the ‘children’s wing’ containing three bedrooms including study spaces and breakout areas.
The bold and vibrant colour combinations have also been applied in the bathrooms and children’s bedrooms - a character filled and joyful home throughout!
Timber decking is applied to both ceiling and floor, taking cues from a nearby beach. Photo: Martina Gemola.
The nautical reference is carried through through the brass fittings, porthole windows and the timber decking applied to both ceiling and floor. Photo: Martina Gemola.
“WOWOWA PONY is the hardest working piece of architecture we’ve done. It’s a mutual love letter from our clients to us and us to our clients. A true collaboration.”
The new children’s wing provides equal amenity to each child, each room has the same allocation of both storage and study area. Photo: Martina Gemola.
The exterior of the one level apricot brick home. Photo: Martina Gemola.
Colour extends throughout the garden detailing and pool interior. Photo: Martina Gemola.
Moss green tiles contrasted against a baby blue sink. Photo: Martina Gemola.
Moss green tiles in the ensuite give way to orange tiling beyond. Photo: Martina Gemola.
“The structural design, cladding and construction methodology for the roof form is not dissimilar to the construction of a boat.”
The exterior of the ’70s house remains true to its roots. Photo: Martina Gemola.
The new renovation stays faithful to the original mid-century architecture. Photo: Martina Gemola.