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Shortlisted for the Australian Designs awards 2015 and House awards 2015,  this tired Victorian residence was given a complete re-design with a new addition completing the vision.

Designed by Robson Rak Architects, the clients initial brief was for a scheme which would see the new rear living spaces opening to the outside, whilst fusing seamlessly with the re-modelled old part of the house.

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Although the house uses fully automated technology, it’s disguised by a warm, textural palette. A timber ribbon of floor and wall travels through the house creating a harmonious, seamless transition from old to new.

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Spaces within the new extension are defined by materiality. The kitchen area achieves its own identity with the use of light oak joinery and pale reconstituted stone for a benchtop. A concrete floor helps define the new extension but also allows the dark oak, light oak and brown brick fireplace to co-exist within the same space.  The kitchen area has full-height bi-fold doors allowing for that all desired integration to outside space. A living area with banquette seating has large sliding windows allowing the outside in.

 

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The flooring has been replaced in the original residence with a dark oak which then wraps up onto three walls of the new addition, acting like a ribbon and also creating joinery.

 

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A central feature of this home is the new bespoke brick fireplace.  Designed to be viewed as you enter the original residence, the brown brick fireplace is a constant reference and reminder of the brick facade of the Victorian home whilst acting as the central axis for the new areas.

 

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Restored and revived to meet the challenge of another hundred years, within this warm and textured palette hides a house which is fully automated and technologically advanced.  This clever automation is disguised within the organic palette of materials and achieves a seamless integration between old and new interior architecture. 

– Kelly

Photo credits: Lisa Cohen and Mark Roper