A Methodical Extension – Pilley Street by Coy Yiontis Architects

A methodical extension of a 1960s brick home that took place over a period of nine years, Pilley Street extends the inside outward while creating moments of privacy and introspection within. Coy Yiontis combines a crafted rigor with natural materials to create an enduring and sustainably expanded home.

Located in East St Kilda, Pilley Street encompassed a journey of expansion and refinement for its family of four. Originally built in the 1960s, the brick home and its rigid rectangular floor plan needed to be expanded and respond to its site and surrounding landscape. Through a series of interventions, moments of privacy and introspection are created and clear connections between inside and out are better established. Through the use and application of a natural approach to materiality, Coy Yiontis has highlighted and celebrated the art of craft throughout the home. Envisioned through a sustainable lens, an enduring and responsive home emerges.

Located in East St Kilda, Pilley Street encompassed a journey of expansion and refinement for its family of four.

Built over two stages, stage one by the owner and stage two being completed by Built by Blake Built Pty Ltd, the landscaping was completed by Vivid Design seven years into the build. The rigor undertaken over the various stages shows a steadied and well-considered approach from both owner and architect. The result is a transformation the original bones that adds significant amenity to the home that is set on a triangular block flanked by dominant apartment buildings to all sides. Engaging the garden to provide private moments and create connection with the interior was vital. A six-metre vertical garden wall, irregular shaped pool and series of terraced platforms come together to unify the experience of the interior and the landscaping.

Coy Yiontis demonstrates an understanding of context and scale, creating an inward focussed home built on long-ranging and sustainable principles.

By removing the original kitchen volume to the north and replacing it with a two-storey upward extrusion, a new connected and purposed communal hub is created. The ground level sees the combined living, kitchen and office space come together, and above, a master bedroom suite and second office take form. A concentrated effort was made to blend the new and the old to make the transition seem deliberate and contextual, and apart from this transitionary effort, the existing home remained unchanged. The new addition allows the owners, both writers, to work from home, and the use of a restrained and contemporary palette creates the foundations for a home that will endure.

Pilley Street is both modest and patiently conceived, with minimal impact to the original home. Coy Yiontis demonstrates an understanding of context and scale, creating an inward focussed home built on long-ranging and sustainable principles.

Coy Yiontis combines a crafted rigor with natural materials to create an enduring and sustainably expanded home.