Arch de Triomphe – Goldsmith House by C. Kairouz Architects

C. Kairouz Architects has reimagined a family home in Melbourne’s Elwood by preserving heritage elements such as arches and intertwining them with a contemporary sophistication. In the transformation of Goldsmith House, C. Kairouz Architects has honoured the home’s history without compromising on modern aesthetics.

The dwelling has been designed to foster an environment of considered sophistication and aspirational style through judiciously considered materials and colours. Additionally, the careful deliberation of well-balanced proportions throughout the interior, especially in the double-height ceiling spaces, has helped to create a harmonious and elegant family home.

The dwelling has been designed to foster an environment of considered sophistication and aspirational style through judiciously considered materials and colours.

The challenge for the architect was integrating the home’s heritage features – in particular, the arches of the pre-existing façade – into the renovation while ensuring the aesthetic remained contemporary. The arches, as well as a subtle domed motif, appear throughout, both overtly and subtly, from the double-height arched windows in the kitchen and dining space to simple elements like mirrors and doors.

The interiors feature a cohesive visual language of materials and design elements, from the striking curved staircase and double-height ceiling punctuated with skylights to the natural stone and lime-washed herringbone flooring. Further enriching the interior is the veined marble in different tones, giving each bathroom and the kitchen its own distinct identity. In the master bedroom, the arches are referenced in a captivating bay window while the expansive steel-framed arched-style windows in the kitchen and dining area enhance the seamless flow of spaces and flood the room with a wealth of natural light.

The interiors feature a cohesive visual language of materials and design elements.

The home’s exterior spaces are equally beguiling and include a relaxed patio, which features a fireplace set into a stone wall. Lush greenery grows parallel to the kitchen and dining space and brings a natural touch to the emphasis on indoor-outdoor connection.

A successful fusion of heritage elements and contemporary design, Goldsmith House is a highly liveable family home that incorporates luxurious materials and sophisticated style. C. Kairouz Architects has seamlessly reinterpreted the home’s arched façade into features such as curved ceilings, steel-frame windows and an iconic singular staircase.