Monty
In inner-city Melbourne, Tom Robertson Architects has transformed a long-held Richmond home into a warm and layered retreat with inventive screening, generous natural light and a rooftop deck capturing sweeping city views.
While the contemporary extension is more pronounced within, the transition from old to new is quieter from the street. Set within a dense urban context, the clients sought a home that felt private yet open to light and air. The original heritage facade is retained at the property boundary, while the new brick addition is stepped back in a deliberate gesture that distinguishes old from new. The brickwork is tonally aligned with the existing masonry, and glazed openings are protected by metal shrouds that provide both privacy and sun control for Monty’s reverse-living arrangement.
A sculptural spiral staircase leads to what Robertson describes as the home’s “crowning glory”: a rooftop deck.
The ground floor contains the private zones – bedrooms and study – and while guests enter on this level, they can move directly upstairs without passing through these spaces, preserving a sense of calm. “It isn’t until the ascent to the upper level that guests are completely surprised by the openness, light-filled rooms and uninterrupted views of surrounding Richmond,” says director Tom Robertson. Connecting the two levels is the central staircase, with a large oval skylight above – a bright focal point that floods the lower levels with light.
“Overhauling the configuration was essential,” says Robertson, noting that the original enclosed staircase bisected the house, keeping key areas such as the living room and kitchen separate. The new central stair, flanked by a bespoke metal screen, now lightly divides the dining and kitchen areas, while variations in ceiling height and screening create distinct zones within the generous living volume. Throughout, the interior palette is intentionally warm – cream bricks, white plasterboard, neutral stone and timber floors and ceilings – “bringing a light atmosphere without a stark aesthetic”.
Generous glazing floods the upper living space with light while maintaining a seamless connection to the exterior. This connection continues onto the upper-floor terrace, where a sculptural spiral staircase leads to what Robertson describes as the home’s “crowning glory”: a rooftop deck. The expansive space accommodates lounges, a dining area and an integrated kitchenette. A strategically placed planter box preserves privacy from neighbouring properties and maintains uninterrupted views across Richmond, the CBD and the lights of the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
By balancing natural light with inventive screening, Monty blurs the boundaries between inside and out. From calm lower-level retreats to airy upper living spaces and the rooftop deck, the residence rises skyward, unfolding as a warm, secluded sanctuary intimately connected to its surroundings.
