This renovation and addition to an existing Victorian home in inner bayside Melbourne responds to the changing needs of an active, growing family and creates flexible and relaxed spaces for them to inhabit for many years to come. This project includes renovation to the existing historical building and the addition of a double storey extension to create a multi-zoned family home. Aesthetically, the new building was to remind them subtly of family holidays to the beach. The new addition merges into the existing house to reduce visibility from the street and minimise its impact on the rear garden and neighbouring properties. The existing rooms are transformed into a master bedroom area with new ensuite discreetly inserted between the existing building and boundary wall. An open study area and feature stair are set within a sculptural double height void which becomes a transition point between old and new.
The new addition features a large open plan living space at ground level and a children’s zone on the first floor. A spacious living and entertaining space is designed to allow flexibility of furniture arrangement and features a full width sliding glass wall opening onto a rear terrace and garden. Natural materials and textures are used throughout the project. These include durable Australian Ironbark timber cladding and screens, polished concrete floors, stone and timber are used internally to create comfortable, robust and low maintenance spaces. Soft whites, muted color tones, natural timbers and dark polished concrete are used to create a sophisticated yet relaxed urban family home.
• Transformation of a Victorian double fronted house into a flexible multi-zoned family home • Ironbark external cladding • Multi track sliding doors open living room up to rear garden • Natural material palette
ARCHITECT’S STATEMENT This project was designed to respond to our clients desire to create a family home that would work for them now and into the future. They simply didn’t want their children to outgrow the house but be encouraged to bring their friends home and enjoy inhabiting it . A focus on creating comfortable, robust communal living spaces that reminded the family of time spent together was a key design driver for this project.
