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There’s a real art form to balancing old and new in a renovation.
In the case of this Edwardian family home in Caulfield, the vision was to create fresh spaces that felt like a contemporary counterpart, rather than simply blending in.
The clients had owned the property since 2007, but now with three children aged between high school and university, they had outgrown the house — with fewer bedrooms than number of residents inside.
They called in Studio Tom for the renovation, alongside Sense of Space Architects and builders, College Property.
‘A modified late 1980s rear addition was closed in, undersized with poor connection to an under-utilised rear yard,’ Studio Tom creative director Robbie Peirce says.
‘The front rooms retained some of their former period features but were tired and well-worn. The family of five also shared the one bathroom.’
While retaining and updating the existing facade and four front rooms, the awkward addition was demolished to make way for a contemporary extension incorporating a new bedroom, en suite, kitchen, dining and living.
‘Our inspiration was a calm, restrained contemporary response to the existing Edwardian house, drawing from natural materials, soft light, and simple architectural forms; a complementary addition to an already charming house,’ Robbie says.
‘We used recycled cream bricks, which looked so good during construction, we almost left them exposed. Ultimately, we followed through with the original concept of a gently bagged and painted finish — a decision we didn’t regret.’
The palette is subtle, with soft neutral tones, natural timber joinery, concrete floors, and quiet architectural flourishes like the skillion roof and clearstory windows that establish a connection to the gardens outside.
Despite the addition of a new pergola, much of the outdoor area was reserved for the all-important swimming pool, with a perfect view across the water from a large window that turns it into an extension of the living room. They also squeezed in room for a basketball ring amongst the crazy paving, at the request of the owner’s kids.
‘One of the favourite moments in the house is the view to the garden revealed as you walk down the hall from the entry,’ Robbie says.
‘The clients have remarked on how much they love the new addition. Each family member now has their own bedroom, an obvious improvement, while the new spaces provide a variety of places to spend time without feeling crowded’
Now, the heritage facade hides dedicated spaces for working and studying from home, a love of cooking and even a bit of basketball.
