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When architect Laura Hoare, owner of Laura Vivian Architecture, purchased her 1910s Edwardian house in 2017, the Caulfield property was in poor condition, but still had plenty to offer her family.
‘While there are no heritage overlays or planning controls in place, we felt strongly that the house, and the street, deserved our care and respect,’ says Laura. ‘It was the perfect opportunity to preserve what we could and make a meaningful contribution to the rhythm of the streetscape.’
The architect and her family soon embarked on a renovation — the first stage focused on restoring much of the original home — to ensure its legacy for another 100 years.
Stage one introduced creature comforts (an en suite bathroom, hydronic heating, and air conditioning among them) to the front bedrooms, while replacing the original timber weatherboards. Single-glazed windows were also swapped for hardwood timber double-glazed versions, carefully crafted by Whetstone Windows & Doors who replicated the original profiles.
The house was extended in stage two of the renovation, designed with an existing magnolia at its centre to anchor the home to its landscape. Previously tucked away in the back garden and thoroughly disconnected from the living areas, the tree is now visible from multiple angles, bringing dappled light, shade, and a beautiful outlook into the home.
‘It’s no longer just a backdrop — it feels like a living, breathing presence that shifts with the seasons,’ says Laura. ‘The way light filters through its branches, casting changing shadows across the interiors throughout the day, brings a quiet rhythm and connection to nature that we all really love.’
The addition is offset from the original axis of the house, stepping back towards the southern boundary to take advantage of the northern frontage, while maintaining the magnolia surrounded by a back deck.
Contained within the ground floor addition is a new bathroom and cosy play room, followed by the voluminous open-plan kitchen, living and dining areas.
Pared back yet robust materials including solid timber benchtops from Australian Sustainable Hardwoods, polished concrete, and brick are appropriate for young family life, encouraging Laura’s children and dogs to interact comfortably with the space.
‘The last thing we wanted was to feel precious about how the kids use the house,’ she says. ‘Elevated joinery ledges in the living areas catch beautiful sunlight throughout the day, and have become favourite spots to sit, play, or simply lie in the sun.’
Ample natural light ensures that even on grey winter days, the living spaces retain a sense of warmth and brightness that contributes to the overall comfort and liveability of the home.
The compact upstairs addition contains only the home office and gym, and is set back behind the original roofline to respect the neighbourhood character.
The entire renovation was designed with flexibility in mind to evolve with Laura’s family. It’s a calming base full of small, deliberate decisions that quietly support their daily lives, both now and into the future.
Laura says, ‘It’s not showy, but it works hard, and that’s something I’m really proud of.’
