A family of five, with three teenage children, adapted their inner-city home to suit their growing needs. The home, a double fronted heritage listed Victorian terrace located in the vibrant Melbourne suburb of Carlton North, required a clever rework and expansion of its existing footprint to accommodate the next stage of life for the homeowners.
Project 12 Architecture were commissioned to transition the family home with the result comprising of a master suite, three kids’ rooms, a guest room, kitchen, butler’s pantry, laundry, living, dining, rumpus, powder room, study and storage.
“Intricate planning was required in order to achieve the result of a fully functioning modern home for the family of five, which is reflective of its heritage,” Project 12 director Aimee Goodwin says.
“The new extension hugs the long southern boundary, opening key spaces to the northern aspect which all have a view to the garden. Lightwells and skylights punctuate the plan to provide additional light and provide a sense of volume.
“Whilst not being opulent, the home had to be beautiful and functional, materials had to be selected for their quality and longevity. The home needed to stand the test of time.”
Contemporary updates remain faithful to the dwelling’s Victorian heritage and a strong emphasis on detailing and craftmanship throughout the home had been included with the use of natural and sturdy materials such as Spotted Gum timber, marble and concrete.
Big River Group’s premium plywood products in Spotted Gum were specified all through the interior of the Carlton North home, with the natural beauty of the species adding depth and richness to the overall design.
“Use of Big River’s timber profiles throughout creates a sense of flow and cohesion. Spotted Gum timber has been used for the flooring, wall panelling, joinery cabinetry and stairs to establish a subtle but undeniable connection between the various rooms and levels,” Aimee says.
“The depth and texture of these materials provides so much richness, nothing else is needed. Working with Big River Group, we had full confidence that the products were able to meet the demands both functionally and aesthetically.”
Setting the tone for a warm and inviting atmosphere, Big River’s decorative plywood products Armourpanel and Armourfloor hold as a common choice for architects and builders because of their durability, versatility and aesthetic appeal. The profiles have been used extensively in the living areas and stairways where natural light filters through the home, establishing further the rich, textural depth of the timber.
The meticulous plan enables moments of reprise for the family, through a parent’s retreat, study and teenage rumpus room, while delivering key living areas that are open and connected through a shared material palette.
Natural light and ventilation have been maximized to create a feeling of openness and spaciousness, while the relatively small 389m2 plot also facilitates an outdoor entertaining area and pool. The exterior palette, in contrast to the interior, features charred timber cladding and recycled painted bricks with metal screens to provide privacy when required.
Continuity was the key to the home and the kitchen experience which, at the heart, has been delivered through the same palette of robust and timeless materials with the addition of a beautiful grey marble. Big River’s premium engineered wood product ArmourCab enabled a seamless overall finish for the beautifully rich and warm kitchen.
Furthermore, Armourfloor’s special cross-ply manufacturing process means it can be stuck directly on to the floor without limitations for heating, resulting in a more effective response to hydronic under floor heating, which was requested by the homeowners.
Retaining the heritage streetscape was critical and the home’s façade, as well as the front living room, remains unchanged. Upon entering, however, the full extent of the contemporary expansion is realised through a long corridor, punctuated with skylights that leads to the key living spaces, each connected to the garden and configured to capture the northern light.
