Charmed Openness – Brunswick House by Olaver Architecture

By harnessing natural light and engaging with its rear’s northern aspect, Brunswick House carves the ideal foundation for its occupants. Olaver Architecture retains the previously established modesty of the original home in expanding its framework whilst adding new character and charm.

Executed through a conscientious lens, Brunswick House is expanded to embed additional amenities and enhance the home’s living experience. Located in Melbourne’s north, the existing weatherboard residence embodied the architectural style of its time ¬– featuring a degree of separation within its floor plan. With an ambition to become more openly connected, the renovation sees the original floor plan expanded ¬– elongating the overall volume and adding shared living spaces. Olaver Architecture uses the home’s original approach to restraint and modesty as inspiration for the new form.

Olaver Architecture uses the home’s original approach to restraint and modesty as inspiration for the new form.

Enviably positioned with a north-facing orientation, the renovation optimises views outward. In transforming the heritage home into a series of spaces that combine the house’s previous chapters, the residence’s materiality and plan overlay a contemporary connectedness. The newly combined living, dining and kitchen space takes occupation in the new expansion, opening generously to the landscaped garden. Engaging with the sloping site, the addition anchors itself into the receding terrain.

Light plays an important part in connecting the occupants to the natural elements beyond the home. By incorporating large glazed doors and windows, additional light fills the interior – animating and brightening spaces to uplift the home’s inner experience. The crafted and timber-focused approach continues the home’s established legacy and a curated insertion of colour further connects to the garden and surrounding outdoor spaces.

In transforming the heritage home into a series of spaces that combine the house’s previous chapters, the residence’s materiality and plan overlay a contemporary connectedness.

The new iteration of Brunswick House sees the home increase in functionality and highlight the outdoor areas as an extension of the interior. Olaver Architecture combines the personalities of the home’s custodians with a crafted and handmade approach to reference the home’s origins.