Quaint Nostalgia – Parkville Residence by Hecker Guthrie and Brayshaw Architects

Drawing from the rich layers of heritage embedded within the home coupled with the British legacy of the owners, Parkville Residence becomes a celebration its crafted parts. Hecker Guthrie and Brayshaw Architects combine to spotlight the charm of the existing, folding in new gestures that capture an openness of today while maintaining a respect for the past.

Set amongst other Victorian-era terrace homes, Parkville Residence remains as a nod to a more ornately detailed time. Needing to open and reinvigorate the home into a relevant yet historic abode, an addition and an interior reconfiguration help to define the new. Semi-detached in nature, a transition from front to back, old to new, closed to open is intentionally felt and emphasised as part of the journey of moving through the various eras and volumes within, leading out to the newly curated landscape and pool as a full utilisation of the site.

With the interior design by Hecker Guthrie and architecture by Brayshaw Architects, a holistic approach is overlaid, stitching the three distinct volumes across the site.

With the interior design by Hecker Guthrie and architecture by Brayshaw Architects, a holistic approach is overlaid, stitching the three distinct volumes across the site. With the older and more formally planned element to the front of the site, a deep and softly muted palette encases the restored cornices, skirtings and ceiling details using a singular tone. The introduced furniture, lighting and custom joinery are then given the grace to sit as crafted elements within the spaces, bringing their own character in the process. Moving toward the rear, a more open, lighter sensibility becomes present, with increased opportunities for natural light and ventilation to enter. Framed portals create directed apertures to the surrounding landscape, softening the building edge.

After passing through a series of opened rooms, where glazed internal doors accentuate a connection between spaces, the muted olive-green kitchen presents itself. Compiled as furniture, the pieces all follow a similar formal language established in all the introduced wardrobes and storage. The lack of overhead storage creates an open feel, further connecting between inside and out. Each of the bathrooms combine the longevity of natural stone and matching brassware with curious lighting fixtures and a very English-inspired combination of sanitaryware. Softening from within, linen drapes shroud the interior from the elements while adding another natural layer.

The introduced furniture, lighting and custom joinery are then given the grace to sit as crafted elements within the spaces, bringing their own character in the process.

Ensuring a relevance for the years to come, Parkville Residence continues the intentional and crafted beginnings into a more contemporary context. Hecker Guthrie and Brayshaw Architects bring a timeless warmth and charm, binding the existing with the new as if they had always existed together.