by Leigh Christy

Australian architect Andrew Maynard is bursting with theories. He develops concepts such as "malleable space" into architectural "products" such as a mobile bedroom unit, with the ultimate goal being to transform it into architecture. The process sounds simple enough, but Maynard is the first to acknowledge that such conversions are rarely smooth. "Reality is always getting our floaty idealized concepts dirty, and that is half of the fun."

The dirt seems to brush off easily, however, and the young firm Andrew Maynard Architects is garnering worldwide attention for both floaty concepts and dirty reality.

The Essex Street House is the firm's latest built experiment. Here, Maynard investigates malleable space at a larger scale, seamlessly integrating qualities of both industrial and domestic worlds to create an alternate universe in a backyard on the edge of Melbourne.   >>>

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The Essex Street House in Melbourne, by Andrew Maynard Architects. Photo: Peter Bennetts Garage doors open up the entire north and east facades. Image: Andrew Maynard Architects   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.