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A 100+ year old Victorian Terrace in the quaint suburb of East Melbourne is transformed into a ‘down-sized’ home for a couple of retirees looking at settling into a life away from the outer suburbs and closer to the hustle and bustle of the inner city.
The heritage house is treated with sensitivity in its face-lift to retain its character and charm; very much in keeping with the neighbours and surrounding streetscape. Great care was taken in addressing heritage issues, espically in a neighbourhood known for some immaculate examples of 19th century terrace houses.
The bones of the old building were in fantastic condition. A new ground floor extension was all that was required to bring this home into the new century. An open plan living configuration made the most of its fortuitous north facing aspect. Drawing northerly light into the otherwise dark and narrow hallways of the old house was paramount in creating a sense of ‘lightness’ and ‘openess’.
The employment of natural materials (timber, concrete, steel) in contemporary geometries provides a logical counterpoint to the ornamental and decorative nature of the old house. This modern-day extension adds another leaf in the book of this house without compromising on the qualities of the heritage building.
