Architect Melanie Beynon’s Edwardian residence in Prahran, Melbourne was charming however not match for function. The household of 4 required further area to ‘break free’ and a extra practical ground plan.

Melanie’s problem was to create extra space on a single stage with out dominating the compact inner-city block. ‘The imaginative and prescient for our residence was longevity,’ she says.

A brand new minimal glass hallway hyperlinks the unique home to the versatile dwelling area. This new area is constructed with longevity in thoughts, that includes a strong materials palette together with bricks, concrete, and plywood (that even can stand up to the occasional basketball bouncing off the partitions).

The glass walkway extends previous a brand new central courtyard and attracts mild and greenery into the interiors. ‘The glass hyperlink is a dramatic characteristic exposing us to the climate circumstances. Mendacity within the solar beneath the skylight is dreamy,’ says Melanie.

The courtyard additionally works to acoustically separate the household into grownup and children zones, whereas retaining a visible connection between the 2 areas.

Within the unique residence, the open-plan kitchen, dwelling and eating space has been renovated to maximise performance and storage. Supplies and colors together with joinery painted Dulux Pure White, white Vola tapware, and an aluminium splash again powder coated in Dulux Shoji White stand out in opposition to the unique stained timber ground and a stained stable oak island bench.

When standing in the primary dwelling space, the attention is now naturally drawn to the sliding doorways that reach exterior to the north. Views to neighbouring properties have additionally been blocked out via strategically positioned steel-framed home windows.

The up to date home nonetheless presents as an unique Edwardian, however step inside and there’s a transparent view to the modern areas on the rear. It’s a home that delights and surprises, with out affecting the prevailing streetscape, and offering room for the household to develop.