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It was the neighbourhood that first attracted Myra Spencer and Jamie McGrane to their Northcote home.
‘We found the street to be beautifully quiet, and it was obvious that the residents had lived there a long time,’ says Myra, who is the founder of children’s clothing label Shrunk Store.
‘The sense of community was apparent straight away.’
Initially seeking a larger home for their growing family, the opportunity to live in this sought-after location proved too good to pass up.
Before they could move in, however, the 1890s house needed serious attention.
Behind the heritage-protected facade, the original rooms of the property were significantly damaged, and the extension (likely added in the 1970s) was a simplistic shell with paper thin walls, tiled floors, and pine ceilings.
‘It presented as barely liveable,’ says Myra.
2020 was gearing up to be a busy year for the couple, who were also planning a wedding and had a baby on the way — then COVID hit.
It soon became the job of architect Arlo (previously known as Winwood Mckenzie) and builder BFC Built to not only bring Myra and Jamie’s project to life, but hold their hands (metaphorically speaking!) throughout the pandemic-affected design and construction process.
‘We just want to make mention that we feel incredibly lucky to have made contact with Thom at Arlo and Ben at BFC Built when we did,’ says Myra. ‘The process of building our home alongside these two was an incredibly satisfying experience. We couldn’t recommend them highly enough.’
Thom took Myra and Jamie’s initial ideas, and turned them into an inspired home appropriate for their relatively compact inner-city Melbourne site.
The facade, hallway, and front two bedrooms (not pictured in these images) were maintained and restored, followed by a contrasting addition that visually references the history of the nearby All Nations Park, which was previously a quarry.
Floor-to-ceiling timber joinery and ceiling beams are both a nod to Myra’s grandparent’s house designed by Alistair Knox, and the former lean-to on site.
The addition spans the full width of the block — typical of original homes from the 1890s — to create ample space without the need for a second storey.
‘We are lucky in our ability to have really high ceilings in our living space due to the existing walls on both sides of the block,’ says Myra. ‘It makes the house feel much bigger and is quite surprising to people when they come down the hallway.’
Two internal courtyards designed by Woven Landscapes ensure the home remains light-filled. Opposite facing sliding doors (off the kitchen and the rear bedroom) open to access the larger of these two outdoor areas, providing space for the children to play.
Myra describes the completed house as crisp, warm, and an ideal compromise between minimalism and ‘fullness.’
There’s dedicated space for Jamie’s record players and DJ equipment, and quiet sunny spots for Myra to retreat to while remaining in view of the children.
Working with a dream team, Myra and Jamie have built a home that is good for the soul and their neighbourhood.
The scale and heritage facade of the existing home has been retained, concealing a personalised world within that appears identical to its neighbours from the street.
