Extending a Legacy – Adelaide Villa by Mim Design

With a generous addition that sits concealed to the rear, Adelaide Villa’s connections to the past are retained and its lifetime is extended. Mim Design ensures the existing volumes are reinvigorated and the home’s heritage is celebrated in the new elements, with large apertures connecting inside and out.

Located in Brighton, in Melbourne’s inner-south, Adelaide Villa is a blend of Victorian-era charm and modern character. The home integrates lush green landscaping to soften the linear elements inside, which also ensures the garden is an extension of the home. The owners wanted to both enhance natural light and create a welcoming family residence that felt familiar yet fresh. Mim Design utilises a restraint in proposing a dwelling of lasting value that adopts a traditional and crafted focus.

“The proportions of the original Victorian villa and its gardens were simply breathtaking, offering immense potential,” describes Charlotte McGill, director of interiors at Mim Design.

“The proportions of the original Victorian villa and its gardens were simply breathtaking, offering immense potential,” describes Charlotte McGill, director of interiors at Mim Design. Embracing a holistic approach, the team blends as much of the existing with the newly inserted with considered intent, and flow and consistency are the key principles throughout the home. Surrounded by lush landscaping, Adelaide Villa is grounded on the site and features a centrally located garden with an olive tree – a place under which to rest and feel removed.

Maximising the northern aspect, extensive glazing allows visual access as well as an abundance of natural light to enter the newly defined living spaces. The resulting interplay between light and space ensures each room engages with the surrounds. The monochromatic palette ensures longevity and the base of such a strong and unimposing foundation of finishes allows the home to endure the effects of time.

The resulting interplay between light and space ensures each room engages with the surrounds.

Integrating contrast between open and closed spaces, and variations in tones, Adelaide Villa is shaped as the ideal modern home. In elevating and extending the importance of historical elements, Mim Design allows the current owners the opportunity to overlay their own chapter for the years to come.