Lightened Openness – The Grove by Taouk Architects

Celebrating connection and family living, The Grove continues the established boldness of its original Californian bungalow form through a more contemporary lens. Taouk Architects uses a neutral and illuminating palette to enliven the threshold between old and new and encourage a flow of movement out into the surrounding landscape.

As the residence is a key contributor to the existing and character rich surrounds of Coburg, the original heritage detailing of the home needed to be maintained, seeing the addition and internal alterations sit behind the original silhouette. Whilst the tree lined street creates a natural sense of disconnection and privacy, ensuring the charm remained through the home’s modernisation was the driving force of the design. A clean and simplified approach underpins the interventions by Taouk Architects. The design ensures the two eras of the residence avoid blending into one, instead highlighting their differences to creative a dynamic contrast within.

Inspired by the soft arches of the original structure, the new work spreads over two levels and forms its own bold statement to the rear on the upper level.

The Grove sees the complete redefining of the site in its entirety. The newly conceived landscape design continues the light and contemporary formality of the addition and the interior outward. Inspired by the soft arches of the original structure, the new work spreads over two levels and forms its own bold statement to the rear on the upper level. The ground floor remains open and connected, seeing a new shared living, dining and kitchen space take centre stage and be surrounded by moveable glazing that allows for a flow between inside and out. Welcoming natural light into the new spaces both reduces energy use and optimises the orientation of the site.

As the owners are keen socialisers, the home needed to open and close when hosting. Whilst the natural separation between the new and original forms provides for passive areas of retreat, the openness of the added volume draws movement toward the rear. With the kitchen and living space as the newly defined heart of the home, all other elements pivot around this point. Whilst the addition is concealed from the street, its impact on the quality of the lived experience is vast, integrating more flexibility for the growing family to accommodate anticipated changes.

Whilst the addition is concealed from the street, its impact on the quality of the lived experience is vast, integrating more flexibility for the growing family to accommodate anticipated changes.

Taking cues from the traditional detailing of the original house and reinterpreting them into the new structure, The Grove is an idyllic blending of time and place. By responding to the occupants and their desire to live more openly, Taouk Architects engages the full site to optimise its full potential.