project overview

Located in Albert Park, Melbourne, juxtaposing heritage materials and form with a post-modern architectural language can be challenging. In this residential project an honest approach was taken by restoring the front four rooms of an Italianate Victorian double fronted heritage residence and returning it to its original splendor.

A full width linear pond marks the transition to the modern more informal living spaces which flows onto the garden and lap pool. A glazed walkway crossing the pond invokes a sense of fusion and transparency through the spaces and allows sunlight into the core. The rebuilding of double storey heritage stables used for accommodating vehicles and as a separate guest quarter corresponds with the Victorian street context to the rear of the site.

This residential project was complex at every stage. Initially, during the design stage we had Heritage Victoria, local council, site constraints and an ambitious client brief to consider. The construction stage also presented difficulties due to excavation of pool and basement in a relatively confined area. The architectural response and result is a complex yet permeable series of spaces that are rich in contrasting both the heritage period and modern contemporary detailing.