Monochromatic Restraint – Cambridge Street by ADDARC

Words by Bronwyn Marshall
Architecture by ADDARC
Photography by Timothy Kaye
Interior Design by ADDARC
Styling by ADDARC
Landscape Vogue Grange

Referencing the home’s historic past through a focus on heightened detailing and longevity, Cambridge Street is founded on a refined approach. ADDARC cohesively links past and present through a restrained and monochromatic palette, concealing the addition from the approach while opening generously to the rear.

Sitting as part of a row of heritage cottage homes, Cambridge Street is placed as an important contributor to the architectural lineage of the area. Located in Armadale, the streetscape remains relatively unchanged, washed behind a white and pale grey veil of fresh paint to its exterior. The home’s new works are conceived from a place of respectful resonance and the existing Victorian-era details and features sit delicately amongst a formal garden. The addition is deliberately obscured from the streetscape, tucked in behind the original peaked roof structure of the cottage, maintaining its contribution to heritage preservation while opening to create a connected and contemporary series of spaces. ADDARC utilises a restrained palette of contrasting tonality and finishes to create a balanced and luxurious inner urban retreat.

While the exterior approach feels subtle, with the additional structure matched in lightness with the home’s original timber clad casing, the interior takes on its own, more bold approach.

Built by Uwood Projects, the success of the rear addition is due to its careful consideration and integration with the existing structure, as well as its open green space crafted by Vogue Grange. Abutting the Armadale Reserve, the double height rear space aims to embrace this as an extension to the home, with visual access extending outward and ensuring a feeling of connection. The original orientation to the north ensures the space is optimally placed for natural light and heat gain. While the exterior approach feels subtle, with the additional structure matched in lightness with the home’s original timber clad casing, the interior takes on its own, more bold approach.

Calm and restorative, once inside, Cambridge Street brings a subtle softness together through the selection of finishes and the interaction of natural light with internal surfaces. The transition from old to new is marked by a fluted glass and black steel door, signalling a shift in heritage and time. The new space adds a dedicated living pavilion that ensures the kitchen, living and dining can all exist within the same connected space. On the upper level, the addition of the floor plate adds additional sleeping spaces, with operable façade elements to passively control privacy and light. The palette is a focus on contrast, while mid tones are used to soften the extreme ends of the spectrum. Veined natural stone sits dramatically against muted polished plaster walls, while more finely crafted metal and timber details add texture to the tactile elements of the home.

Calm and restorative, once inside, Cambridge Street brings a subtle softness together through the selection of finishes and the interaction of natural light with internal surfaces.

Through a refined and attuned approach, Cambridge Street sits as a time-wearing proposition for integrating past and present, seeing ADDARC express a restorative feel through an immersion within mood.