![Converted Warehouse in Fitzroy / Andrew Simpson Architects - Beam](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/56b2/1b8c/e58e/cefa/d300/0760/newsletter/portada_Simpson_Fitzroy_-%C2%AEsmg_185770.jpg?1454513022)
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Architects: Andrew Simpson Architects
- Area: 440 m²
- Year: 2014
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Photographs:Shannon McGrath
![Converted Warehouse in Fitzroy / Andrew Simpson Architects - Facade, Beam](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/56b2/1bb0/e58e/cefa/d300/0761/newsletter/Simpson_Fitzroy_-%C2%AEsmg_185126.jpg?1454513058)
Text description provided by the architects. This project engages with issues of extended family dwelling, spatial flexibility, and adaptive reuse.
![Converted Warehouse in Fitzroy / Andrew Simpson Architects - Brick, Facade, Windows](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/56b2/1bf1/e58e/cee7/e100/081e/medium_jpg/Simpson_Fitzroy_-%C2%AEsmg_185414.jpg?1454513124)
The Water Factory involves the refurbishment and residential conversion of a late 19th century industrial warehouse building of individual heritage significance. Located in North Fitzroy the building previously contained businesses such as a jam factory, aerated water factory, advertising agency and engineering consultancy.
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/56b2/1d27/e58e/cefa/d300/076b/newsletter/section_(3).jpg?1454513434)
This was primarily an interior project: the footprint of the two storey building coincides with the site boundaries and the significant heritage constraints limited options for altering the external envelope of the building.
![Converted Warehouse in Fitzroy / Andrew Simpson Architects - Beam](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/56b2/1c06/e58e/cee7/e100/081f/medium_jpg/Simpson_Fitzroy_-%C2%AEsmg_185445.jpg?1454513143)
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/56b2/1cf3/e58e/cefa/d300/0769/newsletter/ground.jpg?1454513382)
To address the need for multiple possibilities for extended family living, the design is conceived as a collection of houses contained within the broader envelope of the building. The plan is subdivided in two on the ground floor and internally connected to create two side-by-side dwellings which have separate main street entrances for different members of the family.
![Converted Warehouse in Fitzroy / Andrew Simpson Architects - Windows, Beam](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/56b2/1c2f/e58e/cee7/e100/0820/newsletter/Simpson_Fitzroy_-%C2%AEsmg_185615.jpg?1454513185)
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/56b2/1ce3/e58e/cee7/e100/0825/newsletter/first.jpg?1454513366)
To draw light and ventilation into what is a poorly oriented and deep footprint, an extensive number of operable skylights were introduced on the north and south-facing roof pitches, and a large void connecting the ground and first floor was strategically positioned to also take advantage of this amenity. Bedroom, bathroom and laundry spaces are divided by a series of operable and sliding panels. What are conventionally regarded as cellular and isolated spaces within a house are imbued with a sense that they are provisional areas that can form part of the open plan or be used for more private purposes.
![Converted Warehouse in Fitzroy / Andrew Simpson Architects - Windows, Beam](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/56b2/1b9d/e58e/cee7/e100/081d/medium_jpg/Simpson_Fitzroy_-%C2%AEsmg_185089.jpg?1454513040)
The ceiling geometry which intersects with the original warehouse roof trusses, varies and undulates along the cross-section of the building. It contains the electrical and mechanical services and in its gable pitches creates an abstract allusion of several houses being contained within the main volume.
![Converted Warehouse in Fitzroy / Andrew Simpson Architects - Windows, Door, Brick, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/56b2/1b7a/e58e/cee7/e100/081c/medium_jpg/Simpson_Fitzroy_-%C2%AEsmg_1209.jpg?1454513005)