house of the yellow wall

frankie pappas

+

SECURING PRIVACY IN AN URBAN WORLD

house of the yellow wall is an old 1950s police barracks
with the apartments built around a central public courtyard
this spatial set-up creates opportunities for public space,
which needs to be mediated by the internal apartment layouts

THE BRIEF

a home that creates a large living space facing onto the courtyard
that offers a natural seclusion to the home’s private spaces
that creates varied spaces for living
that creates opportunities for light and art and space and plants

THE IDEA

the principal concept was to build a very thick wall
that would separate the apartment’s public spaces from its private spaces
this wall would hold storage and services that would serve its adjacent spaces
the building is organised with the eating, living and working spaces facing out onto the courtyard
the bedrooms, bathrooms and service spaces sit behind the yellow service wall
this strategy allows for very efficient movement through the apartment
with very little wasted space

THE MATERIALS

the building makes use of a very simple palette of materials
which work together to make an unfussy living environment
the walls are plastered and painted white, the floors are the original hardwood parquets,
while the furniture is manufactured from recycled plywood
this choice in materials results in an easy-to-maintain apartment,
where plants and art and working and living and reading can take centre stage

THE PROGRAMME

the public spaces of the house include a kitchen, dining room, a small library, a lounge and a solarium
the private spaces include a two bedrooms, a storage hallway, a services area
(including laundry and dishwashing) and a bathroom
the yellow wall includes storage for the bedrooms, the kitchen and the library

CLOSING THOUGHT

a home – no matter the size – must be a refuge
a space that contains elements of mystery and magic and serenity