Ascot by Castley McCrimmon Architects

Words by Peter Bain
Photography by Timothy Kaye

A forgotten Victorian-era home in Melbourne’s Ascot Vale has been carefully transformed by Castley McCrimmon Architects. Heritage details have been revived, while a light-filled, modern extension brings a fresh sense of life and purpose.

Originally intended as a quick renovation project, the house became a deeply personal undertaking for Owen Castley, director of Castley McCrimmon Architects, who chose to make it his family’s primary residence. “This was the first time completing a renovation for myself, and having now finished, I have a far greater appreciation for our clients and the trust required throughout the process,” Castley reflects. Living in the home during its design and documentation stages allowed him to intimately understand its potential and the area’s vibrant community, transforming what began as a pragmatic venture into a labour of love.

Clean lines and textured finishes define this space, where light and shadow interplay across the knocked-back render walls throughout the day.

The brief was ambitious: restore the home’s heritage charm, create a three-bedroom layout with open-plan living and ensure privacy while embracing light. With its narrow site flanked by imposing neighbouring properties, Castley’s design cleverly introduces tall fences, internal courtyards and expansive skylights to maximise privacy and natural light. Period details – including ornate cornices, fireplaces and tall skirting boards – were reintroduced in the restored front rooms, creating spaces that feel warm and characterful.

The transition from heritage to modernity is marked by a custom steel shroud in the hallway, framing the shift to the contemporary rear extension. Clean lines and textured finishes define this space, where light and shadow interplay across the knocked-back render walls throughout the day. The smoky grey flooring – Peppercorn by Made by Storey – runs seamlessly through the home, tying old and new together.

The bathroom brings a playful counterpoint to the home’s muted tones, with terracotta tiles and a custom tiled bath adding vibrancy.

Central to the design is the bold reimagining of the kitchen. Instead of a traditional island layout, the 5.2-metre-long stone-clad island runs the length of the room, serving as both a kitchen workspace and dining table. This considered design creates a sense of flow and integration with the adjacent courtyard, while skylights above flood the area with natural light. Custom timber joinery ensures the focus remains on the island’s sculptural presence.

The bathroom brings a playful counterpoint to the home’s muted tones, with terracotta tiles and a custom tiled bath adding vibrancy. Expansive skylights celebrate light and materiality, turning the central space into a daily highlight. Meanwhile, the rear living room opens effortlessly to the garden, with fully recessed sliding doors blurring the line between inside and out.

For Castley, the project’s success lies in its atmosphere. “It is quiet and peaceful – you really feel like you’re in your own sanctuary,” he shares. Guests often pause in the rear extension, captivated by the textured walls and how light moves across them, imbuing the space with a unique energy.

More than a renovation, Ascot by Castley McCrimmon Architects is an exploration of heritage, light and texture. Thoughtfully blending the old with the new, it is a home that feels both timeless and deeply personal.

Architecture and interior design by Castley McCrimmon Architects. Build by Contar Developments. Joinery by Plane Architectural Joinery. Flooring by Made by Storey.  Appliances by Fisher & Paykel.