Melbourne Houzz: A Heritage Gem Reborn on a Tight Triangular Site
A charming but dated Victorian home on a tricky block is thoughtfully updated for the next stage in a family's life
Ennis Lea, a heritage-listed residence in Hawthorn, Victoria, was built in 1896, and has been enjoyed as a family home by the current owners for 25 years. With their children now grown up and the house feeling somewhat dated, the couple felt the time was right to give it a new lease on life and create a space that could be enjoyed by different generations in the years ahead. They turned to architect Sarah Bryant, principal at Bryant Alsop Architects, to weave the home’s beautiful original features with a more contemporary feel and aesthetic. Read on to learn exactly how she did it.
This Victorian abode has made a delightful family home for the owners for 25 years. But with their children now living away from home and grandchildren a possibility in the future, they wanted to update the interior to bring in light and garden views, and make it a welcoming space for all ages, with contemporary living areas, and an additional bedroom and bathroom.
Ready to renovate your own home? Find a local architect on Houzz
Ready to renovate your own home? Find a local architect on Houzz
After restoring and refreshing the original, heritage facade, Bryant turned her attention to the rear of the house. To create the generous, welcoming accommodation and living spaces the owners sought, she replaced a dated 1980s rear extension with a new contemporary addition housing three bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs and a kitchen, living area and meals area downstairs.
“From early on, it was apparent that the design needed to capitalise on the beautiful green landscape and adjoining parkland, and use ‘borrowed’ landscape to enhance the garden setting,” she says.
“From early on, it was apparent that the design needed to capitalise on the beautiful green landscape and adjoining parkland, and use ‘borrowed’ landscape to enhance the garden setting,” she says.
Rear of the house before works.
“It was important for the new build to sit comfortably and sympathetically alongside the original Victorian building while retaining a contemporary character,” says Bryant.
“It was important for the new build to sit comfortably and sympathetically alongside the original Victorian building while retaining a contemporary character,” says Bryant.
Rear of the house after works.
“The new addition is playful and fun, and responds both to the gabled roof forms of the original house, with shingle cladding that picks up the native colours of surrounding vegetation. Three attic-style bedrooms on the upper level look over treetops and nestle neatly behind the principal Victorian rooflines.
“The aesthetic applied to the original home is more austere and reserved – gum grey is used externally to sit within local parkland foliage, and garden areas were enhanced and extended with the removal of a pool. Two further courtyards connect to informal living spaces at the rear,” says Bryant.
“The new addition is playful and fun, and responds both to the gabled roof forms of the original house, with shingle cladding that picks up the native colours of surrounding vegetation. Three attic-style bedrooms on the upper level look over treetops and nestle neatly behind the principal Victorian rooflines.
“The aesthetic applied to the original home is more austere and reserved – gum grey is used externally to sit within local parkland foliage, and garden areas were enhanced and extended with the removal of a pool. Two further courtyards connect to informal living spaces at the rear,” says Bryant.
Ground-floor plans.
“Adjoining parkland to the side of the site was waiting to be taken advantage of,” says Bryant. “Despite the limited footprint available for the new build, borrowed light and outlook, together with a courtyard design, connect the house to this nearby public green space,” she says.
“Adjoining parkland to the side of the site was waiting to be taken advantage of,” says Bryant. “Despite the limited footprint available for the new build, borrowed light and outlook, together with a courtyard design, connect the house to this nearby public green space,” she says.
First-floor plans.
The original home’s striking Victorian roofline provided inspiration for the new gabled roof form to sit behind. “Given that this property effectively has two street frontages, this side elevation onto the laneway and parkland was very important.
“The bulk of the new two-storey addition on a tight piece of land needed to be handled gently, and the gabled roof form helped to visually break down the mass of the first floor,” says Bryant.
The original home’s striking Victorian roofline provided inspiration for the new gabled roof form to sit behind. “Given that this property effectively has two street frontages, this side elevation onto the laneway and parkland was very important.
“The bulk of the new two-storey addition on a tight piece of land needed to be handled gently, and the gabled roof form helped to visually break down the mass of the first floor,” says Bryant.
Kitchen before works.
Kitchen after works. Blackbutt flooring; two-pack polyurethane cabinetry; island benchtop: limestone; rear benchtops: Dekton by Cosentino; appliances: Miele; pendant lights: Hub Furniture; stools: Ajar Furniture.
Internally, colours were chosen to complement the owner’s significant art collection. A deep green kitchen is the centrepiece of the new rear addition, and sits beautifully alongside a rich blackbutt floor.
Internally, colours were chosen to complement the owner’s significant art collection. A deep green kitchen is the centrepiece of the new rear addition, and sits beautifully alongside a rich blackbutt floor.
“Yellow bathrooms and deep blue walls offer bursts of colour across the house. It is a home not to be taken too seriously, and reflects its owners and their life of collected objects and art.
“Externally, greens and greys were selected to work with the Victorian slate roof and the hues of the adjacent gum and peppercorn trees,” says Bryant.
“Externally, greens and greys were selected to work with the Victorian slate roof and the hues of the adjacent gum and peppercorn trees,” says Bryant.
The kitchen opens onto a central courtyard, which brings in light and park views throughout the day.
Browse more images of Australian kitchens featuring green
Browse more images of Australian kitchens featuring green
Family room before works.
Sustainability was a key focus of the new design. Double-glazed windows, high levels of insulation, energy-efficient appliances and a robustness of design and materiality all contribute to a home that is efficient to run and designed for longevity.
Sustainability was a key focus of the new design. Double-glazed windows, high levels of insulation, energy-efficient appliances and a robustness of design and materiality all contribute to a home that is efficient to run and designed for longevity.
Living area before works.
Living area after works. Gigacer concrete-look porcelain wall panels on walls.
Bryant found the owners a joy to work with. “It’s no small undertaking to renovate and extend the family home at this stage in their lives, and when many of their peers may be downsizing, we applaud them for their courage and openness,” she says.
Bryant found the owners a joy to work with. “It’s no small undertaking to renovate and extend the family home at this stage in their lives, and when many of their peers may be downsizing, we applaud them for their courage and openness,” she says.
Sofa: Ajar Furniture; armchair: Living Edge; coffee tables: Muuto; floor lamp: Flos; rug: The Rug Collection.
“They were trusting, humorous and bold in their decision-making. And their strong aesthetic sense, as displayed by their art collection, allowed us to work together to create a bold and playful design that speaks to both the site and their personalities,” she says.
“They were trusting, humorous and bold in their decision-making. And their strong aesthetic sense, as displayed by their art collection, allowed us to work together to create a bold and playful design that speaks to both the site and their personalities,” she says.
Elemental shingles: Monier Roofing.
In addition to the home’s two new courtyards, the gardens were completely re-lanscaped and a freestanding pergola was introduced to create shade in the summer months.
In addition to the home’s two new courtyards, the gardens were completely re-lanscaped and a freestanding pergola was introduced to create shade in the summer months.
One of the two new courtyards. Outdoor furniture setting: Ajar Furniture.
The family can now enjoy meals alfresco in one of the home’s two landscaped courtyards.
The family can now enjoy meals alfresco in one of the home’s two landscaped courtyards.
One of the two new courtyards.
The home’s charming original features, including decorative arches in the hallway, were restored and refreshed with a new coat of paint.
Dining table and chairs: Jardan.
The new dining area is filled with natural light, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows that open onto a sunny courtyard.
The new dining area is filled with natural light, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows that open onto a sunny courtyard.
Bed and bedside table: Jardan.
The new main bedroom on the upper level enjoys lush, leafy views through a corner window.
The new main bedroom on the upper level enjoys lush, leafy views through a corner window.
Joinery: Evenex; wall tiles: Urban Edge Ceramics; tapware: Astra Walker; Neo solid surface basins and vanity benchtop: Omvivo.
Pops of yellow in the main ensuite bring a sense of fun and youthfulness to the redesign.
Pops of yellow in the main ensuite bring a sense of fun and youthfulness to the redesign.
The internal space within the original part of the house was reorganised to create a generous new main bedroom at the front of the home, with a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite for the owners.
The new powder room on the ground floor.
Your turn
Are you as charmed by this family friendly redesign as we are? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Would you like to see another beautiful renovation of a heritage home? Check out Arch Deco House: A Designer’s Masterclass on Curves & Colour
Your turn
Are you as charmed by this family friendly redesign as we are? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Would you like to see another beautiful renovation of a heritage home? Check out Arch Deco House: A Designer’s Masterclass on Curves & Colour
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A pair of empty-nesters
Location: Hawthorn, Victoria
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms before works: Three bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms after works: Four bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
Size before works: 216 square metres
Size after works: 279 square metres
Architect: Sarah Bryant, principal at Bryant Alsop Architects
Interior designer (furniture selection): Prue Gordon
Builder: Mil Constructions
Garden design: C.O.S Design
Landscape build: Esjay Landscapes + Pools