Bridging the Existing and Proposed – Canning Street House by Techne

Sympathetically bridging the existing and the proposed, Canning Street House sees Techne infuse a contemporary edge to an existing Victorian-era home in Melbourne’s inner north.

Capturing the essence of a pre-existing home and creating a series of new spaces that speak to a contemporary reverence is no easy feat. Techne, however, makes it seem otherwise. Set with the task of restoring the original and creating an extension to fulfil the current owners’ brief, the team approached the design with an instilled sense of both sympathy and robustness. The contrast between the two eras is brought together through refined black metal detailing and apertures that connect the inside with the outside.

Canning Street House sees Techne sympathetically bridge the existing with the proposed, infusing a contemporary edge to an existing Victorian-era home.

Located in Melbourne’s inner north, Canning Street House is situated in Carlton amongst many homes from a similar era. To repatriate the inherited pre-sale renovation works of its previous owner, the new design sees an approach that speaks to a timeless aesthetic that bridges the existing Victorian detail and the new contemporary elements. This is built on cornerstones of light, elegance, and a robust strength to cater for the owner’s young family. As with many homes of this era, issues of natural light within internal zones and a lack of connection between formally separated spaces needed to be tended to. Exercises in extensive re-planning allowed the internal spaces to be given a new light-filled life.

Through the demolition of the previous extension, a new pavilion structure was created to house the kitchen and living areas to the rear. This structure sees floor to ceiling glazing encourage natural light within, framed with fine black metal detailing. This same nuanced detail is mirrored in the fireplace, curtail rails, windows and door framing. The contrast of the light-weighted new addition works in contrast to the front of the home, which sees heavy masonry ground the home to the streetscape. The insertion of a new skillion roof allows for a bold and dramatic architectural expression to the rear, and an opportunity to bring in daylight and connect to the landscaped garden beyond.

Canning Street House layers tactility and warmth throughout the application of materiality and texture. A palette of soft and muted colours and light timber elements are contrasted against raw metal details and black and white accented nuances. The restoration and celebration of the heritage cornices and ceiling roses reinstates the original detail, along with the five original fireplaces and chimneys throughout the home. Techne has been able to inject a new light-filled life into the home’s existing Victorian bones through the opening of its rear and encouraging a cross-functional approach to space and a breaking down of formality. As a result, Canning Street House has become a beautiful unit of new and old.