Located at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in Melbourne’s leafy south-east, the dwelling has remained largely unchanged for the past 60 years. Determined to preserve the essence of this cherished home, the architects approached with care. “The project arose from the need to update essential spaces… without diminishing its architectural clarity,” recalls Katherine Sainsbery, director of Pop Architecture. Improved functionality, updated amenities and a more adaptable layout formed the foundation of the sensitive restoration. In many ways, the project harnesses its constraints to uncover and enhance existing moments of human delight.
Comprising a series of interlinked pavilions, the residence extends from a central circulation spine that allows for interstitial encounters when navigating the length of the plan. From the compact entry corridor, an all-encompassing sense of tactility draws the eye across original brick floors and rhythmic timber panelling before coming to rest on a framed outdoor view. “The project isolates what makes the house exceptional – its light, spatial rhythm and material warmth – all strengthened through subtle, strategic adjustments,” Sainsbery says.