Converting the space above a Victorian terrace shop into a light-filled home is no easy feat. Not only are these spaces relatively confined, they’re also normally attached to their neighbours on either side, limiting the number of windows able to be installed.
This particular project came with even further challenges, being located on a main street and above a violin store – elements that are not naturally conducive to a peaceful home environment!
Tsai Design and Sustainable Homes Melbourne rose to the occasion, transforming this once dark and cramped space into an indoor-outdoor sanctuary.
The exisiting staircase was replaced with a new lightwell made with transparent polycarbonate roof sheeting. Photo – Tess Kelly
The Collingwood building is owned by a couple who operate the ground floor shop and live upstairs. Photo – Tess Kelly
The existing first floor with its 3.2-metre-high ceilings became the open living and entertaining area. Photo – Tess Kelly
‘The beautiful timber work, complemented by the refreshing light green walls, make you feel peaceful and content,’ says says Simon Clark, construction manager at Sustainable Homes Melbourne. Photo – Tess Kelly
The bedrooms and bathrooms were relocated away from the street to a new rear extension. Photo – Tess Kelly
Most impressive is the rooftop deck directly accessible from the open living space. Photo – Tess Kelly
‘We hope the final outcome provide a nice surprise to the clients, as they have lived in the daylight deprived space for the last 15 years.’ – Jack Chen
This Collingwood building is owned by a couple who operate a ground floor violin shop, and live upstairs. The couple were seeking clear boundaries between their work and home domains, more natural light, and a soundproof design.
Tsai Design’s approach was to renovate and extend the home, to feature more defined zones, and three new outdoor spaces. The existing first floor with its 3.2-metre-high ceilings became the open living and entertaining area, while the bedrooms and bathrooms were relocated away from the street to a rear extension.
The staircase was replaced with a new lightwell made with transparent polycarbonate roof sheeting. ‘This not only creates a space flooded with daylight, it also invites future green space, with vertical green walls planned to bring softness and nature into the space,’ says Jack Chen, director of Tsai Design. As the building was previously overshadowed by a three-storey apartment block stretching the northern boundary, it’s hard to overestimate the change this lightwell has facilitated, ‘We hope the final outcome provides a nice surprise to the clients, as they have lived in the daylight deprived space for the last 15 years,’ Chen says.
The final built addition of this project were three outdoor decks: a courtyard, a private deck off the master bedroom, and a rooftop deck directly accessible from the open living space.
As the shop downstairs needed to continue operating throughout the project, it was crucial to ensure construction noise wouldn’t travel. ‘Construction dust and noise don’t at all complement the sound of someone playing a violin!’ says Simon Clark, construction manager at Sustainable Homes Melbourne. ‘To mitigate this, we hoarded the shop off with plywood, applying acoustic insulation to prevent sound, and builders wrap taped really well to prevent dust traveling through.’
Sustainable Homes Melbourne were also responsible for introducing various sustainability measures into the home. Natural and recycled materials feature throughout, and the home is solar ready.
This now warm and inviting home feels a world away from the store below and the street outside. ‘Above the old violin shop you don’t expect to find such an open and light-filled home above,’ says Simon. ‘The beautiful timber work, complemented by the refreshing light green walls, make you feel peaceful and content.’
