Reinvigorating a Melbourne Victorian Terrace - Albert Park Residence by Wellard Architects

With a restricted palette and commitment to introducing natural light into the narrow bones of an existing Victorian terrace, Albert Park Residence sees Wellard Architects bring a sense of muted calm and openness into the home.

Confronted with the ever-present dilemma of a lack of natural light, and the inherent issues that come with heritage Victorian terraces, Wellard Architects utilised several interventions. Together with a restricted palette of muted tonal variations on grey, white and black, a liberal use of warm natural timber gives the addition of warmth. Through an overhaul of the existing structure, access to natural elements such as light and ventilation and through assessing their client’s myriad of needs, Wellard Architects creates a series of calming spaces, reclusive from the streetscape, all connected through a sense of movement.

Wellard Architects creates a series of calming spaces, reclusive from the streetscape, all connected through a sense of movement.

Wellard Architects utilised several interventions.

Built by LocBuild and styled by Bek Sheppard, the initial brief centred around the creation of a sense of connectedness between all spaces, and a flexibility that could run throughout. For practicality’s sake, the internal zones needed to be durable, while a key element of the brief was to bring natural light into the home. Through the introduction of a double-height space above the kitchen and dining zone, together with a series of deep voids, the areas otherwise darkened and buried within the centre of the home are now flooded with natural northern light.

The initial brief centred around the creation of a sense of connectedness between all spaces.

Eckersley Garden Architecture were engaged at an early stage, allowing for an embedded collaboration and approach across the new built works and landscape. Existing palm trees to the rear of the site were retained, and a low-maintenance garden design creates a visual connection through the full-height glazed doors from the living area. On the upper level, the timber bridge element links the two volumes and allows for a visual openness between levels, without interrupting the light.

Eckersley Garden Architecture were engaged at an early stage, allowing for an embedded collaboration and approach across the new built works and landscape.

Although faced with a narrow and restrictive site, and inheriting the existing home and its accompanying limitations, Wellard Architects has been able to create a home that maintains its street presence and incorporates significant landscape elements. The materiality and overall feel of Albert Park Residence combine a familiar warmth and a sense of endurance beyond the current time in spaces that are flooded with natural light. Through these subtle interventions, a muted contemporary lens allows for a multitude of interpretation.