Oberon House by Alexandra Buchanan Architecture

For Oberon House, Alexandra Buchanan Architecture transforms a cramped, disconnected Victorian cottage in Hawthorn East into a home defined by layered materiality, light and spatial clarity.

Once a sequence of dark, compartmentalised rooms, the house had been subjected to decades of ad-hoc extensions that severed any meaningful connection to light or outdoor space. As with many homes in Melbourne’s inner north, strict heritage overlays required the original cottage to be retained, with all new interventions positioned to the rear. For a client returning to Australia after years abroad, the brief was both simple and considered: to create a refined yet functional two-bedroom residence that balances openness with moments of quiet enclosure while allowing the client’s art and collected objects to define the interiors.

The warmth of timber runs throughout the interiors, unifying spaces while offering a tactile counterpoint to the stone and polished plaster surfaces.

The new rear addition introduces a sense of generosity without overwhelming the modest scale of the site. The ground floor is anchored by a series of interconnected spaces – kitchen, dining and living – designed to foster effortless movement while maximising natural light. A long skylight above the kitchen marks the transition from old to new, drawing daylight deep into the home. Sliding doors to the north and south extend the living space outward, creating a dialogue between interior and exterior.

Materiality is handled with both restraint and richness. The warmth of timber runs throughout the interiors, unifying spaces while offering a tactile counterpoint to the stone and polished plaster surfaces. V-groove panelling in the extension subtly references the home’s original weatherboards, establishing continuity between old and new. These elements form a quietly expressive backdrop to the client’s curated collection of furniture, art and artefacts – objects gathered across years of living abroad.

Thoughtfully placed ledges, nooks and shelving accommodate the client’s collection of objects, while built-in cabinetry delineates spaces without creating clutter.

Above, the new first floor is conceived as a secluded retreat, entirely dedicated to the main suite. Unlike the ground floor’s openness, this space embraces intimacy and flow, with minimal physical barriers. The bedroom, ensuite and study exist in visual conversation rather than rigid separation, their connection reinforced by a tonal shift. “The soft green of the ensuite bathroom acts as a backdrop to both the [main] bedroom and the office,” explains Alexandra Buchanan, director of her eponymous architecture studio. The ensuite itself is unexpected – entirely open yet framed as a sculptural insertion, with a depth that unfolds subtly within its restrained form.

Joinery plays a key role in shaping the interiors, offering both functional storage and moments for display. Thoughtfully placed ledges, nooks and shelving accommodate the client’s collection of objects, while built-in cabinetry delineates spaces without creating clutter. A recessed wall at the base of the staircase, for instance, allows for the placement of a sculptural piece, demonstrating a sensitivity to how personal collections and architecture can coexist.

Beyond its functional success, Oberon House is a study in balance – between past and present, enclosure and openness, simplicity and depth.

Beyond its functional success, Oberon House is a study in balance – between past and present, enclosure and openness, simplicity and depth. Alexandra Buchanan Architecture has delivered a home that is refined yet deeply personal, with every detail considered to support the client’s evolving way of living.

Architecture and interior design by Alexandra Buchanan Architecture. Build by Pledge Custom Builders.