We hope you enjoyed mesmerising journey through Immersion House by Mitsuori Architects in Melbourne’s inner-west! Mitsuori Architects have truly redefined the concept of a family sanctuary, blending heritage and modernity seamlessly. The immersive experiences inside this sustainable home are nothing short of breathtaking. For more of the latest and greatest in architecture, interior design and house tours, make sure to pre-order Issue No. 13 of our tri-annual hardcopy print publication - thelocalproject.com.au/publication/issue-13/ or our hardcover book ‘10’ - thelocalproject.com.au/product/10-celebrating-10-issues-of-the-local-project/
While I like this house and love modern modern architecture (mostly) I’m starting to wonder if the whole idea of “connections to the outdoors” and “being immersed “ are moving further from their meaning - at least what I think they mean having grown up in the 60s and 70s where being immersed and outdoors meant running across your neighbors yard to join in a game (or something mischievous). So many of these homes in dense areas are walled in and closed off from what’s happening outside. Connections to the outdoors shouldn’t just mean having an outdoor space where you have sunshine and plants - it should be being able to interact with neighbors and people and events on the street. So many of these homes turn inward and it makes me wonder if it’s an effect of social media (as I write this on RU-vid) where the need for human connection is lost because we’re so connected virtually. Someone commented (sarcastically)that a home made of concrete is a great place to raise a kid. I would argue that the materials don’t matter - it’s the connections to the real world that do. In a time when “transparency“ has become a buzz word this home has none. I do like the home, although it’s a bit dark, the material palate is cohesive and the layout seems to work, I just think the architects could have done a better job in “connecting” the home to the outdoors. Sorry for the rant. Would like to know what others think …
Good point. This has the vibe of a luxury military bunker or coffin. The goal is to cut the ultra wealthy inhabitants off from the rest of humanity. To protect the inhabitants from outsiders. A giant beautiful luxury fear box. Very seductive and impressive, in a way. Depressing in another way. Peaceful, quiet, safe, serene, dark," immersive". Like death.
I couldn't agree more! Here we are renovating older homes (and building new ones) with living spaces moved from the street frontage to the back, and in this search of 'privacy' we are losing our sense of, and connection to community. I often think about this.
At the end of the day whether you like it or not, the wealthy pay for an architect to design a home HOW they want it. It's always been that way. I certainly know one of the first jobs to go in a recession are architects as it's only the wealthy that pay for it. No one else would.
Are you reading my MIND??? I love these local project videos as the architecture and interior design are exquisite, but the overall feel is, we are so rich, we can afford a concrete fortress adorned with stone, rare wood and loads of designer furnishings. Neighbors? Don't think we have any.
I love watching these videos. They are so well put together and peaceful yet captivating. I was having a lot of anxiety and stress so I decided to watch this and I feel a lot calmer now
Matthew and Melissa congratulation to this project. The important point to me is the conection in between the old and the new part of the project. The BIG value is that the new part respect the old building the conection is perfect. Nice details all over the spaces and the garden helps the interiors spaces became bigger Iam an architect in Portugal and I watch several designs in Australia amd I must say that the rule you have in you mind about doing the project are perfect. Congratulation Matthew and Melissa Carlos
Simply stunning on all levels. There are defiantly larger, grandeur, and more extravagant homes on LP's feed, but this project is the best, by far! The work needs no words or explanation. Every space, material and function is solid. Bravo, mates. Bravo.
Love the project and esthetics. I only wish I could get a better idea of how it all fits together, what the layout/floorplan is, in addition to the stunning shots from different angles.
3:47 this is my favorite part of the house - this incredible skylight that creates an impression you are outside when you are in your kitchen. But, I have to say, client's desire to be private probably robbed them of a lot of natural sunlight in that big new extension - the above-ground pool and the wall behind it kind of makes the place too dark, in my view.
It really is a nice touch with the tongue n groove moving from floor to wall to ceiling. It would wear differently in different spots. Perhaps overuse of the word immersive in the narration.
Yes@@BillWoodillustrator - I didn't look closely but when light is mostly from one side then this is similar to a cave. You lose a sense of balance and depth and find the windows glaring and the opposite wall dark. You can't adjust. The overall darkness would be ok (not my preference) if there was less glare/contrast. There's is also a proportional element (length, width, height) of the spaces and you can often see this effect in appartment buildings with one wall of windows.
this is a beautiful home. But serious question, what about it is sustainable? Sure there are wooden claddings but the amount of concrete used totally outweighs any benefit
Beautiful home. I'm a big fan of TLP but I thought the camera angle was rather strange. It appeared to be a wide angle lens shooting up on the client and very close seemed to be an odd choice that didn't work well. for the interview in my opinion.
I think this lacks connection in my opinion. I feel it cuts the family off from the outside world- it creates a walled box, bunker-like. I get that for some, this would be a dream home, however for myself- there is too much concrete, it gives a dark and somewhat prison-like vibe. There is no home here- it lacks life, colour, and objects. I agree that there is great craftsmanship in putting the design/materials together, and while it makes for fascinating lesson in modern architecture, it also makes for a wearying one.
I suppose everyone is different and it would be a very boring world if we all had the same ideas and desires. However I fail to see how grey concrete can be fitting in with the surroundings unless you want to live in a multi story car park, it will always be cold hard and uninviting, it just sucks the light out of a space, for me a home should light airy tranquil and full of natural light.
Principal, not Principle. Well thought through design with the engineered timber. I would have liked to get a better sense of the immersiveness rather than just seeing two architects repeatedly mentioning it
It doesn’t look cold and minimal or uninviting. Think the design architects achieved a great space. There are some concrete architecture just look like monolithic mausoleums, this doesn’t. What’s a perfect material for you to raise your family then?
They likely are engineered wood floors, we have them in our home and certainly are not cheap at $260 per square metre, but they are very stable and do not suffer from cupping or splitting like sold wood. Engineered wood is a real wood veneer around 3-5m thick bonded to a 10-12mm thick piece of marine grade plywood, it can actually be re sanded like solid wood and stained any colour you want.
Completely agree. Hardwearing - yes. So is stainless steel. They actually lost me when I saw the vessel sinks. One of the most useless and dysfunctional designs ever created…
Sustainable has got to be the most overused, annoying, mean nothing word in architecture!! 🤦🏻♂️ I’ve practiced for 25 years and I’m also a successful land developer!
I agree, a lot of what I hear is just dribble to be honest. Sustainable Natural In keeping with Nature, the way the light transitions from one level to the next blah blah blah blah blah
