Hawthorn House

by Alexandra Buchanan Architecture

For the Hawthorn House project Alexandra Buchanan Architecture craft a design that effortlessly combines the edgy styling of contemporary architecture with the old fashioned charms of a traditional Victorian cottage.

The extension to this 1890s single-fronted weatherboard cottage in Hawthorn, Melbourne is an exercise in clever compact planning that seamlessly weaves together traditional and contemporary architecture. The extension preserves the scale, materiality and character of the traditional Victorian frontage whilst introducing an elegant, two-storey extension to the rear.

A delicate screen of vertical timbers tempers light, view and privacy to create the characteristic ‘veil’ that encloses the upper level bedroom suite. The rhythmic timber screen becomes a unifying design element that extends into the interior in the form of a staircase balustrade. The balustrade screen visually animates an otherwise muted interior sensitively set within the historic shell.

“Use of skylights to bring in natural light, together with high ceilings makes our family room feel really spacious and is a lovely place for us all to spend time as a family.”

Light wells distributed across the roof plan sun-wash walls and flood the open planned interior with natural light. Double height spaces, established above the staircase and dining room table, create volumetric interest. Improved visual connections to the back garden evoke a sense of spatial generosity that far exceeds the modest dimensions of the home’s interior footprint.

“Alexandra Buchanan Architecture’s selection of finishes for bench tops and cabinets has been commented on by nearly every visitor who has come to look at our renovation, we have been so very pleased with what Alexandra Buchanan Architecture have done.”

Ultimately Alexandra Buchanan Architecture were able to maintain the traditional charms of the space whilst developing a contemporary home for a young family to grow and develop as the years pass by. 

For the Hawthorn House project Alexandra Buchanan Architecture craft a design that effortlessly combines the edgy styling of contemporary architecture with the old fashioned charms of a traditional Victorian cottage.

The extension to this 1890s single-fronted weatherboard cottage in Hawthorn, Melbourne is an exercise in clever compact planning that seamlessly weaves together traditional and contemporary architecture. The extension preserves the scale, materiality and character of the traditional Victorian frontage whilst introducing an elegant, two-storey extension to the rear.

A delicate screen of vertical timbers tempers light, view and privacy to create the characteristic ‘veil’ that encloses the upper level bedroom suite. The rhythmic timber screen becomes a unifying design element that extends into the interior in the form of a staircase balustrade. The balustrade screen visually animates an otherwise muted interior sensitively set within the historic shell.

“Use of skylights to bring in natural light, together with high ceilings makes our family room feel really spacious and is a lovely place for us all to spend time as a family.”

Light wells distributed across the roof plan sun-wash walls and flood the open planned interior with natural light. Double height spaces, established above the staircase and dining room table, create volumetric interest. Improved visual connections to the back garden evoke a sense of spatial generosity that far exceeds the modest dimensions of the home’s interior footprint.

“Alexandra Buchanan Architecture’s selection of finishes for bench tops and cabinets has been commented on by nearly every visitor who has come to look at our renovation, we have been so very pleased with what Alexandra Buchanan Architecture have done.”

Ultimately Alexandra Buchanan Architecture were able to maintain the traditional charms of the space whilst developing a contemporary home for a young family to grow and develop as the years pass by.