Tempered Delineation – Willow by Castley McCrimmon

Delineation is often unavoidable when heritage and contemporary architecture converge, and a building’s identity rests on the architectural response to either emphasise or subdue this definition. Engaged to design a generous extension to a double-fronted Victorian house in Elsternwick, Owen Castley and Jake McCrimmon of Melbourne studio Castley McCrimmon tempered their approach, seeking softness rather than severity in the juncture between old and new.

Castley McCrimmon initially proposed a highly contemporary form to juxtapose against the original period home, with a focus on creating and enhancing demarcation. However, as Owen explains, “early design meetings suggested we were pushing the boundaries a little too far with the client, so we softened our approach.” Uncovering a way to extend this heritage home and create an exciting yet sympathetic language between the existing and the proposed was key. A fine balancing act ensued, whereby Castley McCrimmon worked to identify the elements of the heritage architecture that captivated the clients and reinterpret those features through a measured, contemporary lens. “Our views on the design were initially quite different, which was challenging,” says Jake. “It put us in a place where we were slightly uncomfortable, but it forced us to consider our approach and our clients’ brief even more carefully.”

“We’ve used timber chevron flooring throughout as a contemporary interpretation of traditional parquetry flooring,” Jake McCrimmon says. Not only is this a nod to the heritage nature of the building but it also creates a feeling of cohesion from front to back.

While the existing and the addition feel cohesive, the innate beauty of each is heightened. The original home has been thoughtfully reconfigured to house a generous master suite, laundry and main bathroom along the northern elevation and three bedrooms along the southern. The architects have emphasised the grandeur of the Victorian architecture by reinstating and restoring skirting boards, architraves and decorative elements typical of the era.

In contrast, the extension is a celebration of contemporary cool, with a flicker of ornament referencing the original home. A subdued colour palette of grey and white bathes the interiors, creating a fluid internal experience and a welcome reminder that these spaces have been considered, designed and realised as one. “We’ve used timber chevron flooring throughout as a contemporary interpretation of traditional parquetry flooring,” Jake says. Not only is this a nod to the heritage nature of the building but it also creates a feeling of cohesion from front to back.

“We like that you don’t necessarily open the door and see a big living room at the end,” Owen Castley says. “Instead, you see this element of architecture and then, as you transition through the space, it opens up to the extension on the right. It creates a journey.”

Owen and Jake both reference the idea of accentuating sightlines to create depth and draw people through a space as central to their work. Willow’s wide original hallway leading to the new addition presented an opportunity to expand on this. As well as restoring and highlighting the beauty of the ornate existing archway, the architects designed a contemporary arch at the threshold between old and new. Beyond this, a floor-to-ceiling window replicates this shape once again, framing a curved external breezeway stretching the length of the property. “We like that you don’t necessarily open the door and see a big living room at the end,” Owen says. “Instead, you see this element of architecture and then, as you transition through the space, it opens up to the extension on the right. It creates a journey.” The sightline from the front door sweeps to the back of the home; one’s gaze is guided by continuous arches, reinforcing the curved form and creating momentum.

Crossing the threshold between old and new, there is a slight change of tempo, however, the spirit of the original house has been carried through with the chevron flooring, high ceilings and the same crisp, neutral palette. The extension protrudes from the southern side of the original house and unfurls to the north; large steel-framed doors open onto the arched breezeway and garden beyond, capturing afternoon sun. Defined by a sense of polished openness, the ground floor extension houses an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, as well as an additional living space and garage set deeper into the plan. Upstairs, there is a large gym and a fifth bedroom with an ensuite, both with views to the backyard and long lap pool.

A 50-metre square gym could be seen as excessive, yet it is anything but for this project. A necessity for the fitness-focused clients, the gym is Castley McCrimmon’s considered response to the owners’ personal and professional need for a typically commercial space within a residential context. Designing a gym that addressed the briefing requirements without posing detriment to Willow’s overall design aesthetic and functionality was crucial. “There was a real process in terms of planning the gym – we had to make sure it worked at a planning level but also at a detail level,” Jake explains. As a result, the gym is situated “as far away from the main sleeping areas as possible” and has been constructed as a separate structure, largely unique from the remainder of the extension. “We worked closely with our engineer to divide the extension into two physical structures, while allowing it to appear as one,” Jake says. “The slab structure and framing are all separate except for one portion of the façade, so any activity in the gym – such as vibration or noise – doesn’t pass through to the remainder of the house.”

Willow could have easily been defined by its various separated elements, yet it expresses a welcomed uniformity both inside and out. Castley McCrimmon has balanced a highly contemporary approach with the clients’ love of Victorian-era grandeur, designing a family home that boldly expresses both its heritage and newness.