Damian Parras, a partner in Max Architects, and his wife Tina spent five years living on the site in a quiet Moonee Ponds street before commencing construction. The building is constructed on a reinforced slab with a suspended slab at the upper level.The base walling is predominately brick veneer featuring Austral Bricks Elements Zinc semi-glazed bricks.“It was always going to be brick,” says Damian.“What I love about brick is that it’s an honest and very durable material, especially at ground level. It also works really well in terms of maintenance.”
He wanted a dark base to create the foundation of the project and anchor the lighter upper-storey materials.After reviewing products from several brick companies Damian knew his quest had ended as soon as he saw the Elements Zinc.“Its metallic sheen can suddenly spring into life as it catches the sunlight, adding another layer to the aesthetic quality of the house,” he enthuses.
The greatest design challenge came on the long northern boundary: how to maximise light penetration without compromising the view. The solution was to design a glazed internal courtyard that captures the northern sun while maintaining a garden outlook. It also preserves the house’s flow-though design, allowing a direct visual connection to the street, even though the main living areas are to the back of the house.
There is an industry joke that an architect’s house is never complete.The Parras house is an exception although there is always something to do. Damian and Tina are currently working on the landscaping, but at least their low-maintenance brickwork will stay looking great for generations to come.