A Federation home is brought into the 21st century by fusing classic period design with contemporary additions
By Danielle Townsend
Photography Gerard Warrener
Situated in the prestigious Melbourne suburb of Albert Park, with a run-down “lean-to” kitchen area attached at the rear, this classic Federation-period design was in need of a restoration. The client’s brief to architect Philip Crouch was to renovate the existing house and provide a functional, modern addition that would be both light and open and which would relate to the rear garden and pool — essentially, a complete family home.
Respecting the history of the existing period home was important, as demonstrated by the classic front façade, and so was combining it with the new, modern, open addition and pool and basement at the rear. The existing home was therefore restored, rationalised and opened up to relate to the new modern addition, creating visual links with the previous home.
Philip was inspired by the composition of cubist forms and the concrete water storage tank as a structural element, which also acts as an environmental feature. He says he finds it hard to narrow down his favourite part of the renovation, instead declaring the kitchen/rear living/outdoor area, the void over the stair, the glass void separating the old and new stair and the bar as his favourite aspects of the project.
In the decidedly modern kitchen, the long island bench of Calacatta marble and stainless steel dominates the space, which is flooded with light thanks to roof glazing over the work area. A Qasair custom-made island bench rangehood with stainless-steel surround is another attraction.
Moving on to the nearby dining room, a classic flavour has been created thanks to merging elements such as the Calacatta marble fireplace; decorative mouldings, ceiling and architraves; existing baltic timber floorboards stained with Feast Watson Black Japan; and a chandelier from Euroluce which hangs delicately over the sophisticated dining suite.
Downstairs, drawing from an American concept, the owners requested a basement with a wine cellar and laundry. Basement construction is very difficult in a wet winter and, as Albert Park is an ancient swamp and the water table was very high, the basement added significantly to the final cost, but it was money well spent in the clients’ opinion.
“This renovation is special as it works for the family — it’s functional and exciting,” says Philip. “Risks were taken and the result is a spectacular space to be in.”
Special Design Features
• Period front fence to suit house fretwork
• Cellar in basement by Cellar Creations (with glass door)
• Laundry in basement with mirror back
• Barbecue hydraulic lift over house
• Landscaping
• Concrete structural water storage tank
• Swimming pool — outdoor change area
• Sunken Japanese onsen (traditional public bathing space) to bathroom
• Restoration of existing house
• Floating stair to attic over void
• Two-storey-high glass void between new and old house expressed externally
• Void between upper floor and stair
• Flexible rooms upstairs
• Glazed tilt-a-door opens up from living area to pool
• Roof glazing over kitchen work area
• Back lighting to Calacatta Marble bar
• 25mm-thick glass to swimming pool window from basement
• Aluminium frame/cedar battens to balcony screen/sunshade
Project Particulars
This project was designed by
PHILIP CROUCH ARCHITECTS
Suite 2, 5-13 Melrose Street,
Sandringham Vic 3191
Tel 03 9521 9095
Email phil@philipcroucharchitects.com.au
Web www.philipcroucharchitects.com.au
This project was built by
McKIMM BUILDERS
Tel 03 9592 1166
Flooring
Kitchen: 1200x1200x25mm polished concrete Sadler Fossil tiles
Dining: Baltic floorboards stained with Feast Watson Black Japan
Living: 1200x1200mm polished concrete Sadler Fossil tiles Upper floor, third and fourth bedrooms, playroom and attic: Supertuft Blast carpet
Stair: Spotted gum, clear finish
Bathrooms: Anthracite limestone honed finish 600x300x11mm tiles
Outdoor: 1200x1200mm honed concrete Sadler Fossil tiles
Verandah: Tessellated tiles repaired
Carpark: Concrete stippled blocks with grass between
Laundry and cellar: Crema Maroc limestone 600mm x 400mm
Walls
Kitchen/dining/living/bedroom: Dulux Wash and Wear Vivid White
Outdoor: Render Dolomite, Vivid White, Natural Concrete
Kitchen
Benchtop: Calacatta marble (Peraway marble, Thomastown) and 316 marine-grade stainless steel
Splashback: 316 marine-grade stainless steel
Cabinetry: Timber veneer Aniseed Black melamine
Appliances: Gaggenau wall oven and steamer, Jenn-Air integrated upside-down stainless-steel refrigerator, Miele dishwasher
Bathroom fittings
Cabinetry: Dulux Vivid White two-pack polyurethane with Corian Glacier White benchtop (Novelty Kitchens)
Basin: Tranquillity double basin from Apaiser Bathware
Tiles/walls and floor: Crema Maroc limestone 600mm x 300mm
Sanitary fixtures: Rogerseller Fantini basin mixer and knob, Catalano toilet
Shower/bath: Apaiser Bathware Haven bath
Lighting
Supplied by Euroluce
Windows + external doors
Glass: Clear
Frames: Natural anodised aluminium Capral
Outdoor
Roof: Existing tiled roof, Slate Grey Colorbond
Paving: Sadler 1200x1200mm
Decking: 140×32 spotted gum decking, clear finish
Landscaping: Rock ‘N’ Stone, concepts by Philip Crouch
Screening: Cedar battens, aluminium angles
Furniture: Spotted gum
Accessories: Built-in barbecue — stainless steel and cedar battens