Guided by Connection – Fairfield House by Heartly

Guided by moments of connection, Fairfield House sees the renovation and extension of an existing Edwardian cottage. Heartly combine a respectful celebration of the existing together a contemporary approach, to bring light and simplicity to this family home.

Located in amongst similar era homes in Melbourne’s north, the same-named house is the result of fusing the past and present together. Fairfield House is both a renovation and extension exercise, preserving the pre-existing streetscape frontage and lengthening the life of the home for its current custodians. Originally built in 1910, the Edwardian era cottage is a familiar sight in the area and signals the suburbs establishment during that time as the city of Melbourne expanded. Guided by a collective want to connect the inner zones within the home, and create moments to gather and convene, the overarching principle was to intertwine the comprising elements. With building design and interior design by Heartly, the resulting home is one of simplicity and cohesion, brought together through a contemporary lens.

Located in amongst similar era homes in Melbourne’s north, the same-named house is the result of fusing the past and present together.

Built by Crisp Green Homes, the existing heritage weatherboard façade remained intact and was restored to enable a lengthening of its lifespan. Behind this important part of history emerges the new addition, one imagined specifically for its occupants. Consistent throughout is a vein of warmth, lightness and a sense of connection. The additional of two additional bedrooms, family space and ancillary spaces was key to the opening up of the home’s formal planning. After initial consultation, an overall aesthetic direction was agreed, and the designers were enviably given free rein to interpret the needs of the client. Deliberately bridging the old and new is an opening of the original elements and connecting these spaces.

Added to the front of the house is a mud-room arrangement that allows a purposed interlude before entering and transitioning into the calm abode that awaits. Referencing the popular lean-to structures found in many home’s of this era, a contemporary interpretation takes form. Optimising access to natural light and orienting living spaces to capture northern light was imperative, while the addition of custom windows create a fresh take on the interaction between inside and out. The materiality speaks to the same pared back approach to planning, where minimal colour variations are used, and light is encouraged inward. Timber is used to warm the spaces internally while externally blackened timber adds texture and a natural element to the addition, while also connecting to the original rhythm of the weatherboard wrapping the original cottage.

Fairfield House is both a renovation and extension exercise, preserving the pre-existing streetscape frontage and lengthening the life of the home for its current custodians.

Fairfield House is an uncomplicated and calming series of spaces that make for a welcoming home. While upholding the original features, the extension and upward addition act as an extension of its cottage beginnings, while fulfilling a more complex contemporary brief. Heartly have injected a sense of clarity through refinement, into this high functioning family home.

Originally built in 1910, the Edwardian era cottage is a familiar sight in the area and signals the suburbs establishment during that time as the city of Melbourne expanded.