
Balaclava Residence by Hecker Guthrie
An architectural patchwork, Balaclava Residence speaks to a history of design appreciation. Rather than reducing the number of featured styles, Hecker Guthrie pursued an eclectic renovation, channelling existing elements into an adaptable family home.
Located in the Melbourne suburb of St Kilda, Balaclava Residence dates back to the Inter-War period, where buildings reflected significant cultural changes. While largely inspired by Mesoamerican design, the existing house contains nods to Tudor, Gothic and Art Deco styles. “For a long time, houses like this weren’t respected,” says Paul Hecker, director at Hecker Guthrie. “The instinct of the design community was to knock them down or disguise their heritage with something modern, but now we’re starting to see their value.” In Balaclava Residence, eclecticism is embraced; the existing home is meticulously restored and new details are introduced to enhance its character. The original extension – likely added during the late 1950s or ‘60s – flows seamlessly into a new third wing, further sheltering the courtyard.
A strategic layout maximises the functionality of the home. While the two original front rooms are reimagined as the parents’ retreat, the adjacent spaces are dedicated to housing the primary suite, a secondary bedroom and the family bathroom. In the latter, the original Art Deco tiles are retained and complemented by smooth stone inserts. Toward the centre of the home, the living, kitchen and dining areas detail the transition between the old and new architecture. The kitchen is a particular highlight; testifying to the client’s career in meat supply and passion for cooking, the space features Gaggenau ovens and a fluted glass screen that hides the sink from the dining area. “One of the defining features is an open-flame barbecue grill,” notes Hecker. “It was a bit of a challenge – we even debated whether it was legal – but we constructed a proper chimney to extract the smoke and it’s become a stand-out feature.”
Taking cues from the original home, the interior design draws from multiple influences. “Art is always an interesting element to work with because it’s so personal,” says Hecker. “Clients often bring their own pieces, so our role is to respond to that carefully. In this case, their Morgan Allender painting informed our approach.” The natural colour palette does not match the tones of the painting exactly, but it rather aims toward the same sense of visual softness. In the kitchen, this is fostered through timber cabinetry and handmade tiles, while in the parents’ retreat, Kodo wallpaper and an elegant whiskey cabinet achieve the same effect. Similarly, the living room welcomes residents with a combination of design classics – the Edra sofa, Cab chair and Sacho bean bag – vintage items and bespoke pieces, including built-in timber seating and a custom stone coffee table.
Taking cues from the original home, the interior design draws from multiple influences.
Embracing its storied history, Balaclava Residence champions a range of design styles within a series of comfortable spaces. By both preserving original details and introducing complements, Hecker Guthrie not only celebrates the past but prepares the home for a vibrant future.
Interior design by Hecker Guthrie.