Honed Focus – Enduring House by Brave New Eco

After an explorative process of understanding the potential of the site, Enduring House emerges from a consideration of doing more with less. Brave New Eco extends and restores an existing heritage home, paying due homage to the original detailing and scale whilst adding a contemporary spirit.

After serving its purpose as an enduring family home, the original Edwardian residence was due for a rejuvenation. In preparation for its next chapter, the design intent for Enduring House was to ensure it was ready for potential multi-generational living. In looking to expand, an additional level was proposed ¬– however, a more contracted floor plan ensured the scale remained manageable and appropriate to its occupants. Choosing to focus on integrating sustainable systems and reducing an overall reliance on energy, the addition and repair works see Brave New Eco take an eco-conscious approach with the incorporation of solar power, harnessed sunlight and natural ventilation and heating control.

In preparation for its next chapter, the design intent for Enduring House was to ensure it was ready for potential multi-generational living.

Located in Brunswick, among a culturally diverse community, Enduring House is focused on the natural environment. Ensuring all alterations had purpose, the clear goal to optimise energy capturing and use was imprinted into the design from the beginning. Much like the project’s name, the new works emphasise the family home as a residence that needs to stand the test of time and occupation of several generations. Embedding flexibility and increasing a sense of connection within the interior spaces of the home was key, encouraging movement to flow through to the larger living areas and to the rear landscape.

Electing to adopt a floorplan cohesive with the existing structure, the original front rooms of the heritage home remain. The transformation of these front rooms – into two bedrooms, a second living area, a bathroom and storage – ensures multi-generational co-occupation can be experienced with independence. As the overall addition expands to the rear, it extrudes a similar silhouette to the original gabled-roof form and connects to the crafted original style through the use of timber as the main material.

Respectful of the home’s original scale, Enduring House adds value through a recalibration of the existing home.

Respectful of the home’s original scale, Enduring House adds value through a recalibration of the existing home. Brave New Eco ensures the ethos and lifestyle of its owners is embedded into the home to create a residence that reflects its name.