Fitzroy Brick Studio House
A Thoughtful Response to Melbourne’s Housing Crisis
Fitzroy Brick Studio House by Kerry Kounnapis Architecture Practice (KKAP) is a carefully considered response to the city’s housing crisis. Balancing economic constraints with bold architectural ideas, the project offers a model for compact, sustainable urban living.
Fitzroy, Melbourne’s first planned suburb, has long been home to families who maintain strong ties to the area and its community. However, as the housing crisis worsens and the real estate market continues to impact affordability, many are forced to look further afield. This project presents an alternative - creating a well-designed, small-scale residence within a highly desirable inner-city suburb.
Located at the rear of a double-fronted Victorian terrace, Fitzroy Brick Studio House replaces a disused garage with a compact yet functional residence. Accessed via a rear laneway, the new dwelling features its own independent entry and a private bricked courtyard, ensuring both privacy and connection to its urban surroundings.
“The project is an example of how planning laws, imagination, and a deep understanding of context can come together to create a robust architectural response,” says KKAP director Kerry Kounnapis. “The new form sits comfortably within the laneway, responding sensitively to its surrounds while offering a contemporary solution to a pressing issue.”
Through the use of pressed beige brick, Oregon timber, and galvanized steel, the structure is designed for durability and low maintenance – an intentional choice given the dynamic and sometimes chaotic nature of laneway living. The use of hit-and-miss brick screening allows for filtered light while maintaining privacy, enhancing both the interior experience and the building’s relationship with its neighbours.
A distinctive chimney-like corner on the northeast serves a dual purpose: “Functionally, the operable glazing behind allows for hot air to be drawn out, acting as a thermal chimney,” explains Kounnapis. “Poetically, it references the brick chimneys so common in Fitzroy’s Victorian terraces, becoming a recognisable marker for visitors.”
Fitzroy Brick Studio House is more than just a well-crafted home - it is a forward-thinking solution to inner-city living amid shifting economic realities. By addressing the housing crisis with innovative design, KKAP demonstrates how thoughtful architecture can play a role in shaping the future of urban dwellings.
