A New Chapter – Malvern East House by Heartly
Through an enlivening of the original 1920s bungalow and the generous extension to its rear, Malvern East House is endowed with a new chapter. Heartly injects a contemporary relevance and vibrancy through softening curves, colour and a classical approach, tying the old with the new.
The familiar restoration and extension of a period home can be interpreted in any number of ways. Streamlining of the original to flow to the new or adding of heritage-inspired crafted elements into the new to connect to the original are two of the most tried-and-true methods. Malvern East House combines both together, leaning toward the latter. Through a focus on light, the pre-existing elements are revised and restored to bring the natural detail and nuances of their handmade inception into a fresh present, while the new connects through lines and details that pay homage to the original home and its makers. Through mechanisms to open and encourage light inward, the old and the new flow from one another with ease and result in a balancing act. Heartly endows the revised home a new chapter through an injection of colour, an open and connected living family space and through a classical restraint used throughout.
Built by Marven Constructions, Malvern East House sees the carefully considered replanning of the interiors to suit the revised brief of its client. The original home’s restoration highlights the existing formality, with repeated elements and consistency. The new then opens up the entire silhouetted volume of the home to create a connected rear space that encourages engagement and invites an active audience. The formality of the existing hints at a more passive approach and a natural hierarchy is created.
Taking inspiration from the home’s past narrative, there is a classical approach to finishes used throughout, referencing a heightened elegance. Creating a backdrop, the large pool adds the reflections and movement of the water throughout the day, as it engages through the full-height glazing into the internal spaces. Throughout, curves are used in a subtle way, to mimic movement through the home, and are expressed on both the vertical and horizonal surfaces. The combination of timber, natural stone and brass elements all sit in both unison and contrast due to their tonality, offering a layering of elements within each of the spaces. The playful and classic approach to loose items and artwork then adds a contemporary vibrancy, further energising the residence.
Malvern East House brings together the old with the new and instils a contemporary relevance to the resulting home. Open to its landscape, Heartly has freshly elevated the home, bathing its occupants in a much-welcomed natural light.
