A Muted Base – Glen Iris Residence by Melanie Beynon Architecture & Design

A blank canvas, Glen Iris Residence is transformed into a foundational series of spaces, which allows for the interchanging of different artworks over time as needed. At the core of the residence, Melanie Beynon Architecture & Design focuses on restoration and renewal, sculpting the old and new into a contemporary family home.

The formality and layered history of a heritage property has immense value and can give depth, carrying forward the narratives of those who occupied the space prior. However, the rigid nature of their planning needs to be reworked and opened to reflect the way homes are occupied in a contemporary sense. As a double-fronted Victorian-era residence – located within its namesake – the focus needed to be shared between both the optimisation for family life as well as creating a gallery-like feel throughout. With such an extensive collection, the owners wanted to be able to interchange artworks throughout the residence. By calming the overall palette, Melanie Beynon Architecture & Design has created the ideal base.

With such an extensive collection, the owners wanted to be able to interchange artworks throughout the residence.

Wanting paintings and sculpted works to be displayed and on rotation, both blank walls and the correct lighting overhead needed to be integrated, as well as horizontal surfaces for display. The existing home is both restored where needed and overlaid with a consistent dichromatic palette to bind the old and new elements. By using a muted tonality, the artworks remain the highlight in each of the spaces, accompanied by select furniture and lighting throughout. By using the one colour across the ornate detailing in the original part of the residence, it levels the hierarchy and allows a uniformity throughout whilst still ensuring the crafted features are part of the home’s next chapter.

Moving into the new kitchen and bathroom spaces, a generous use of natural stone carries through the original longevity of the Victorian era whilst also allowing for nuanced patterning to become a highlight. Together with custom joinery that ensures the supporting everyday elements can be concealed, the focus remains on the generous volumes within and the changing calendar of artworks throughout. Allowing for flexibility within the planning was also key to the approach, ensuring that the property can adjust over time to the changing needs of a growing family and allowing for enhanced functionality when needed.

By using a muted tonality, the artworks remain the highlight in each of the spaces, accompanied by select furniture and lighting throughout.

Continuing the elegance of the original home, Glen Iris Residence ensures a matched detail and rigour form the foundations of contemporary family life. By using restraint in colour and the palette of finishes throughout, Melanie Beynon Architecture & Design ensures the owners can personalise the home.