Melbourne’s Enclave House

Melbourne VIC, Australia – BKK Architects

Area: 509 sqm

Completion Date: 2010

Photography: John Wheatley – UA Creative

Designed to accommodate the changing needs of a growing family, this renovation and addition involved the retention of the existing Edwardian cottage. Like many inner city homes, the land is long and narrow with lane access at the rear. By splitting the renovation into two sections and placing the studio above the garage the home gets volumes of natural light and ventilation.

The existing Edwardian home and facade is retained to maintain the streetscape

From the architect:

The extension to this heritage residence required clever solutions and planning in order to overcome the restricted inner-city site. Formally, the extension at the rear is ‘carved’ from a solid block, chiselled away, to let light into the interior of the residence. Deep reveals to the upper floor windows shield the gaze from the surrounding neighbours. This also gives the residence a profound sense of containment, like a protective cocoon. The private courtyard garden links the studio space with the main residence. The landscape has been manipulated to frame the views between the two.

The design incorporates double glazing, extensive wall, floor and roof ventilation as well as a 25,000 litre rainwater collection tank buried beneath the extension.

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