THE STORY BEHIND THIS DESIGN SOLUTION.

Our clients, a professional couple with two teenage children, contacted us by referral from other clients. They live in the Gascoigne Estate in Malvern East, Victoria, which comprises heritage-listed houses, generally Edwardian and Federation style, many of which now include modern additions. The property is located on what used to be the first fairway of the old Royal Melbourne Golf Course estate.

Along with a long list of desires, they wanted a two-storey addition to the rear, to marry with the existing retained heritage house with a modern interpretation. They also wanted a swimming pool in the rear yard, double garage and an outdoor entertaining space.

Many of the original heritage house features influenced material and colour selections of the addition. The render colour featured externally to the addition complements the light coloured brick ‘banding’ on the original house. The dark metal wall and roof claddings finished in Colorbond ‘Monument’ were selected to blend and pair with the original black slate roof tiles. The evolution of our client’s brief developed through the design process to further enhance their requirements to have a seamless transition from indoor to outdoors.

Below are some before and after photos to show the story (before's noted on image) .

The clients absolutely love living in their renovated house, and are very enthusiastic with the outcome. They are very proud of how the house looks both from the street and from the backyard. The owners were really pleased with how flexible and adaptable the house is now, especially when catering for the whole family working and studying from home over Melbourne’s covid 19 lockdown periods.

WHAT'S THE SOTRY BEHIND THE HERITAGE DESIGN SOLUTION?

The proposal was for the partial demolition of buildings and works associated with the extension of an existing dwelling on the lot. The dwelling presents as a single storey brick ‘Federation Villa’ with a pitched tile roof to Turner Street.

The Victorian Heritage Database identifies the subject site as having a ‘B’ grading and is within the ‘Gascoigne and Waverley Estates’ area. B graded buildings have been assessed as being well preserved and substantially intact representatives of particular periods or styles which demonstrate the key historical themes of a heritage precinct.

The planning application was assessed against the relevant requirements of the Stonnington Planning Scheme, including the State and Local Planning Policy Framework and the provisions set out in the HO133 that affects the site and surrounds.

The development proposal was considered to be appropriate as the proposal was deemed consistent with the strategic policy direction within the Stonnington Planning Scheme and relevant State and Local Policy objectives. The proposal was considered an appropriate design outcome for the site itself and heritage context, was deemed to maintain a similar grain and built form which is consistent with the existing streetscape and sits comfortably within the existing context. The proposal was deemed to not significantly alter the character of the immediate environs and deemed to be consistent with the purpose and guidelines of the Heritage Overlay which seeks to conserve and enhance contributory elements of the heritage precinct. The proposal was also deemed to not cause unreasonable material detriment to the adjoining properties.

The proposal is considered consistent with Clause 21.06, restoring/rejuvenating a heritage place, whilst respecting the heritage context and not being visually intrusive.

The proposal ensured that the additions and alterations retain and conserve the primary building volume and significant building fabric and are set back behind the primary building volume. It respects the built form character of the place including but not limited to scale, form, height, siting and setbacks. It adopts a visually recessive design where the heritage place remains the dominant visual element and is readily identifiable as new works while respecting and having minimal impact on the significance of the heritage place. The addition also complements the materials, detailing, finishes and paint colours of the heritage place whilst avoids new openings in the primary building volume.

The upper level addition is set back behind the primary building volume and complements the height, scale and setbacks of any adjoining significant or contributory buildings and are contained within an envelope created by projecting a sight line from 1.7 metres above ground level on the opposite side of the street. It presents minimal bulk from oblique views and does not obscure vistas and view lines to significant buildings.

The extension does not detrimentally impact the significance of the heritage site as the majority of buildings and works occur at the rear of the property. The additions are of a contemporary design and will significantly improve the internal amenity of residents, whilst ensuring off-site amenity impacts are minimal.

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