Location: Richmond, Victoria, Australia
Area: 225 sqm
Year: 2013
AVARDS
2014 AIA Victorian Architecture Awards Shortlist Residential Alterations and Additions
2014 Houses Awards Shortlist House in a Heritage Context
2014 Houses Awards Shortlist House Alteration and Addition over 200 m²
Architects: Rob Kennon Architects
Landscape Architect Robyn Barlow
Photography © Derek Swalwell
This house, on a deep site near the top of Richmond Hill contains the unexpected. A large roof deck is hidden behind the heritage protected Victorian roofline, like a secret lookout over the Melbourne skyline. The deck which extends from the upper-level master bedroom, bridges the two fundamental aspects of the house. It links the restored early Victorian heritage building with a separate contemporary but contextually responsive extension designed for a downsizing couple with regularly visiting family and grandchildren.
The scheme involved demolition of the lean-to at the rear, complete restoration of the existing front four rooms (including a new bathroom, which took the space of an existing room without disturbing the heritage fabric) and the addition of a rear contemporary structure with living space, carport, upper-level master bedroom and roof deck.
The existing Victorian detailing was stripped back to highlight the elegant fireplace arches, Baltic pine flooring and timber mouldings. Freestanding (not built in) bespoke joinery neatly fits into the existing fireplace recesses to clearly define the old and new.
The east-west site orientation cleverly turns an apparent design detriment into a major design feature. The long rear extension abuts the south boundary to achieve a delightful rear northern orientation, much longer than possible from a north-south site of similar size.
The new structure is visually separated from the heritage building by a glass link, with hidden utility spaces behind. A series of glazed connections, incorporating a large sliding glass door, a fixed door, a picture window and a frameless section, provide each space its own special interaction with the immediately adjacent garden.
To reduce its mass, the upper storey is constructed as a timber framed setback pop-up, out of the triangular masonry form. The bedroom receives filtered northern and western light through batten shutters, which control the heat in warmer months.
Externally, the addition is constructed out of recycled pressed red bricks with rough natural sand and cement render. This sits comfortably with the aged bluestone and other materials of the original early Victorian house.
Internally, the new living, dining and kitchen areas are associated by the consistent use of solid oak flooring, walls and joinery. The tight oak grain brings natural warmth to the space. The fine detailing of the junctions, joinery doors, recesses and fittings provoke an appreciation of the considered way in which the space has been crafted. Further, the changing volumes, lighting and varied glazed connections to the garden differentiate the various functional spaces.
Rob Kennon Architects
All images courtesy of Rob Kennon Architects | © Derek Swalwell
Rob Kennon Architects
Rob established the practice, Rob Kennon Architects, in 2011 after years of experiences working with two of Melbourne’s most influential and respected design practices, Bates Smart and Jackson Clements Burrows. Prior to that, Rob worked with Bochsler & Partners.
Rob graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Planning and Design (First Class Honours) and a Master of Architecture. He was awarded the Ernest Fooks Memorial Award for Design and was selected in the Dean’s Honours List. more
CONTACT
Studio 1, Level 1,
156 George St
Fitzroy Vic 3065
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