LOCATION : EAST MELBOURNE, VICTORIA

Henry House is a 140-year-old Victorian terrace house that has been refurbished and extended with a contemporary rear ground level extension.

Great care was taken in addressing heritage issues, especially in a neighbourhood known for some immaculate examples of 19th century terrace houses. The heritage house was treated with sensitivity in its face-lift to retain its character and charm.

The bones of the old building were in excellent condition so efforts were focused on the new ground floor extension to bring this home into the new century. A key ambition was to create a fluid passage of travel through the main spine of the building, in contrast to a typical hallway of this type of period building. This was achieved by adopting an open plan arrangement in the extension and framing the end of this visual axis with a large window and daybed that extend the line of sight into the raised garden. The consolidated living configuration made the most of its fortuitous north facing aspect, drawing as much northerly light close to the belly of the building.

The use of natural materials (timber, concrete, steel) in contemporary geometries provides a logical counterpoint to the ornamental and decorative nature of the old house. This modern-day extension writes yet another chapter in the book of this house, adding to and enhancing the features and qualities of the heritage building.

Photography by Derek Swalwell.

Styled by Bea + Co.