The Forever Home – Hawthorn II by Flack Studio

Extending the storied life of a heritage home and creating the foundations for many more years to come, Hawthorn II is a journey across time. Curating the platform for its growing family of five, Flack Studio together with Lisa Breeze Architecture, project forwards to propose the ideal ‘forever home’.

Set amongst similar era homes in the leafy enclave of Melbourne’s east, Hawthorn II sits in the same-named suburb contributing to the important early 20^th-century fabric of the area. Having already occupied the home for some eight years prior, the growing family of five wanted to extend their time, envisioning the home as an ideal ‘forever home’. Flack Studio, working together with Lisa Breeze Architecture, proposse an enduring home of robust and lasting permanence that will allow for expansion and contraction as its occupants require. Taking nods from its storied past and the clients’ fond affection for their time within the home already, the resulting spaces capture the many personalities that inhabit them, as they become the platform for what is to come.

Set amongst similar era homes in the leafy enclave of Melbourne’s east, Hawthorn II sits in the same-named suburb contributing to the important early 20^th-century fabric of the area.

Inheriting the familiar and rigid formal planning of the typical heritage home structure, the new works emerge from a reworking of the original floor plan, with a rear extension allowing for a more contemporary living approach to be incorporated. The upper floor takes form as the parents’ retreat space, including bedroom, bathrooms and supporting areas, while on the lower level, three bedrooms take occupancy in the generous proportions of the original home’s volume. Supporting each of these spaces, and the natural spatial hierarchy that forms in families over time, two living spaces and a rumpus room allow for gathering and convening in a number of settings. Key to the approach was an understanding of flexibility of its function over time.

Ensuring the home tapped into an emotive response was also important, and custom colours and a specialised living experience ensure this connection to space and location could occur. The materiality speaks to a similar approach, comprising of solid elements, hard rendered finishes, solid recycled floorboards, steel frames, wool and other tactile and natural details. Creating a base from which furniture, artwork and objects could evolve and represent the time and the changing personalities and connections to specific spaces also aids in the infusing of a sense of identity. Meanwhile, Eckersleys Garden Architecture, known for a keen understanding of the ideal garden befitting the heritage context, creates a lush the surrounding garden and rear pool addition.

Having already occupied the home for some eight years prior, the growing family of five wanted to extend their time, envisioning the home as an ideal ‘forever home’.

Through honest materials and an expressive approach, Hawthorn II responds to its owners both now and through an allowance to growwithin the home over time. Flack Studio brings a textural and intriguing approach, ensuring a combination of comfort, intrigue and the familiar warmth of home, while still remaining contemporary.

Flack Studio, working together with Lisa Breeze Architecture, proposse an enduring home of robust and lasting permanence that will allow for expansion and contraction as its occupants require.