Rich Warmth – 10 Fold by Timmins and Whyte Architecture and Design

Expanding on a previous quaintness, 10 Fold opens up the internal volume of an existing cottage, culminating at a rear connected living zone. Timmins and Whyte Architecture and Design focuses on retaining a lineage of crafted details in proposing the addition, while ensuring a refinement and relevance bind the old and new together.

The familiar story of a narrow allotment and navigating its heritage cottage constraints is not new, however 10 Fold uses the challenges of the site as keen opportunities. Located amongst similar era homes in Abbotsford in Melbourne, the expansion and renovation work aim to embed a familiar warmth while also opening and out to create meaningful connections to natural elements. Maintaining and reinterpreting the original character of the home was also key. Integrating natural light formed a core focus, and together with the continued focus on crafted details, the new allows for a continuation of the previous narrative through a more contemporary ideology of how homes are occupied today. Timmins and Whyte Architecture and Design composes a home that both celebrate the past and aptly sets up for the next chapters.

Built by Encore Projects, 10 Fold takes its name from the 10 folded elements within the new roof that allow for light and air to enter the newly conceived form.

Built by Encore Projects, 10 Fold takes its name from the 10 folded elements within the new roof that allow for light and air to enter the newly conceived form. Previously a small and contained heritage timber-clad cottage, through a series of gestures and insertions, the new home is staged over two levels. By elevating to the rear, new views toward the city can be reached, as well as an abutment to the neighbouring western property, eliminating the unwanted solar gains usually associated with the orientation. In folding the blanketing sheet that connects the old and new, a clever articulation of the roof surface is achieved but a greater surface area, creating multiple opportunities to bring in light.

Culminating at the rear as an open and connected family zone, a shared kitchen, dining and living area all combine and open generously to the rear landscape. Internally, the same folded roof becomes a folded ceiling, where panels are selected to be clad in timber, further articulating and animating the space. Originally an Edwardian-style home, a similar approach to integrating the handmade and using timber has been utilised in the new. A newly crafted kitchen and integrated banquette seat imbeds the joinery as part of the architecture, as an extension of one another. Together with the warming elements, a balance of muted neutrals is used throughout, softening the sharper lines and angled.

Located amongst similar era homes in Abbotsford in Melbourne, the expansion and renovation work aim to imbed a familiar warmth while also opening and out to create meaningful connections to natural elements.

Through a series of simple gestures, 10 Fold transforms an otherwise indistinct heritage cottage into its own unique optimisation of space and form. Timmins and Whyte Architecture and Design has truly captured the original spirit of the original makers of the home.