Not one to shy away from locally sourced and natural building materials, FMD Architects’ most recent residential project is a jewel set amongst the 19th century terrace houses in Melbourne’s inner north. Aptly named Tiara House, the renovated two-story Victorian terrace has received an update fit for a queen. Its sculpture-like crown form at the rear of the building offers a playful yet regal shape. Inside, splashes of bold colour are met with the haptic textures of the home’s original charms, an exquisite selection of marble and varying forms of the material FMD Architects’ return to again and again- Tasmanian Oak.

Setting up her Melbourne based practice, FMD Architects, over 15 years ago, Fiona Dunin has championed big design in small projects. As an interior designer and an architect, Dunin has merged her two disciplines to offer an integrated design approach. Working mainly on high-end residential and boutique commercial projects, FMD Architects has found their niche in small scale/bespoke. Dunin’s work has carried her across Australia and around the world, but her latest project was an honouring of both her and her client’s hometown- Melbourne.

In Fiona Dunin's approach to design, timber plays a pivotal role as both a sustainable material and a medium for storytelling. As an interior designer, architect, and founding Director of Melbourne based FMD Architects, she views timber not just as a construction material but as a means to establish a profound connection between spaces and their surroundings. With an eye for detail, Fiona integrates timber into her projects to infuse warmth, movement, and narrative. Whether it's Tasmanian Oak or Blackheart Sassafras, the choice of timber allows Fiona to craft spaces that resonate with a sense of place, inviting inhabitants to engage with their environment on a deeper level. From sculptural timber battens that evoke movement to functional elements like solid floorboards or veneer cabinetry, Fiona's work demonstrates how timber can elevate a space from mere functionality to a rich tapestry of stories and experiences.

His and Her House is the unity of two clients’ dream homes, each engaging FMD Architects for their separate builds before amalgamating on a third. The 158 m² home in Melbourne’s Clifton Hill is modest in size but uses clever geometry to create scale.

“This humble material is elevated to a higher level as it blurs the boundaries between the functional, the decorative and art,” says FMD Architects, Fiona Dunin of the Tasmanian Oak dowel in this incredible residential project. “The dowel establishes a consistent design approach through each space while varying its function in each instance.”