Opening to Light – Gridded House by Carr

Expanding on an already established generosity of scale, Gridded House overlays a restrained rigour to open connections and create deliberate opportunities for enhanced illumination. Carr combines the original and the new with seamless ease, blanketing the eras in a shared tonality and continued dedication to craft throughout.

Located amongst other grand residences in Melbourne’s east, Gridded House is nestled within the heritage-rich surrounds of Hawthorn, and the new works are a celebration of that rich past. Having worked with Carr previously in 2015 on another project, the owners were well versed on the alignment of principles between themselves and the team. The original home needed restoration to ensure it would endure, and the new works complement that endeavour. A similar sensibility to craft is carried through from original Edwardian into the new, where attention to detail and refinement are prioritised throughout. Quintessential to the projects of Carr is the embedding, or revealing in some cases, of a simplicity. Through paring back and opening key lines of visual and physical connection, the floor plan becomes coherent and cohesive, inspired by the original gridded ceiling.

Through paring back and opening key lines of visual and physical connection, the floor plan becomes coherent and cohesive, inspired by the original gridded ceiling.

Immersed within a newly curated landscape design by Andy Murray Design, Gridded House is at its heart a family home – a place to regain composure, a place of calm and a place to also work and socialise on occasion. While the needs of a family home and how they change over time are complex, the blanketing of similar tones throughout gives a structure to the various zones, binding them. The generous proportions and overall scale of the home also then allow for an element of adaptability over time. Focusing on bringing in natural light sat the centre of the new works as did continuing the original intentions of the home. Removing an existing 1980s extension offering no connection to the original was the first move, and from there a two-stage masterplan was developed.

While the original planning lends itself to a more segregated plan of formal and separated rooms, the new reconfigured interconnection opens and binds the interior to the site. A new entry clearly directs movement inward and creates a clear spine for all rooms to peel away from. As with any contemporary home, the kitchen and living area becomes the heart of the home and reorienting the plan to allow for this was a main move. The feature island bench sits monolithically in place, sculpturally anchoring the space as an important functional element of the home. A common vein of muted greys runs throughout, allowing artwork, furniture, and lighting to sit as both transient and feature pieces throughout.

A common vein of muted greys runs throughout, allowing artwork, furniture, and lighting to sit as both transient and feature pieces throughout.

Gridded House focuses on retaining the original essence oof the home and its previous lives. Through refined insertions and gestures, Carr brings the old and new together with refreshing purpose.