A Respectful Revitalisation – Raheen by C. Kairouz Architects
An inspired renovation that transformed a 1970s midcentury house into a modern home, Raheen is the family home of the founder of an Australian slow-fashion brand and embodies the similar essence of slow living in its open plan and calm interior. While championing the home’s origins, C.Kairouz Architects uses layers of materials to create a space that welcomes a distinctly modern lifestyle.
Inspired by the clients’ desire to honour the essence of the original home – designed by esteemed Melbourne architectural firm Chancellor and Patrick – Raheen is a modern reinterpretation of a classic 1970s residence. Located east of the Melbourne CBD in Kew, the home is owned by Sam Scally, co-founder of slow-fashion brand The FLATIRON Label, whose eye for high-quality design extends to her home.
C. Kairouz Architects’ brief centred on maintaining the home’s original character while adapting it to suit contemporary family living. As such, many of the original fixtures and fittings were preserved, complemented by Sam’s beautiful curation of vintage Australian and Italian furniture and decor. Another key aspect of the brief was creating more functional spaces to comfortably accommodate the needs of a family with three children. Thus, living areas were expanded and reconfigured for open-plan living, while the kitchen was transformed into a modern practical zone. Similarly, “Filling in the balcony has opened up a beautiful space where we can sit in direct sunlight and enjoy our full view over the [Yarra] boulevard which was once hidden by small tinted windows and a brick wall,” Sam says.
The architects took a highly considered approach to layering between authentic elements, modern furnishings and sleek craftsmanship. Features such as textured brickwork, cedar-clad vaulted ceilings, German blown-glass chandeliers and wall-hung ashtrays were juxtaposed with contemporary materials like natural rattan, rolled-edge Corian benchtops in the kitchen, rich warm walnut finishes and mixed metal accents.
One of the major features of the renovation was the spatial reconfiguration. Existing low, dark and dense living spaces that felt cramped and claustrophobic have been opened up to create a light-filled environment. The architect introduced rendered walls and stone paving on the floors, both of which help to bounce natural light around the home. New floor-to-ceiling windows frame tree-lined views and create the feeling of more space.
Raheen is a vibrant family home that seamlessly marries 1970s design with contemporary luxury, striking the delicate balance between preservation and innovation. “The design has given us so many new options without losing the integrity of the original,” Sam says. The harmonious fusion of style, heritage and craftsmanship honours the essence of the past while bringing it into the present day – with a profoundly positive effect on family life.
