What do Brunetti’s and the Espy Hotel have in common with a dour Victorian home?

What do Brunetti’s, Flinders Lane’s Garden State Hotel and the famed Espy Hotel in St Kilda have in common with a dour Victorian home in South Melbourne?

The Victorian house was redesigned for a couple, one of whom previously worked as a chef, who were aware of architectural firm Techne’s work reinventing the Espy and other Melbourne hospitality icons.

Architectural firm Techne got the job of redesigning this grand Victorian house in South Melbourne.Credit: Tom Blachford

The couple gave Techne the job of redesigning their grand Victorian house from an era in which homes, by their nature, were serious in their décor - sometimes even a tad stern - with a formal front parlour designed to impress guests rather than explore architectural ideas.

As a result, the recently completed renovation in South Melbourne celebrates the past while taking on the quirks of a couple wanting to push boundaries.

Nick Travers could also see a romantic side to the concrete pillars and ceilings.Credit: Tom Blachford

“It was one of those rare occasions where there was a leap of faith and where everything seemed possible,” says architect Nick Travers, director of Techne, who worked closely with project architect Matthew Chi and senior interior designer, Emma Phythian.

“The connection to our hospitality work was important but I think we were the only practice interviewed for the job who loved the raw concrete addition that had been added on the top level,” says Travers, who could see how the brutalist addition and the Victorian house could work together.

He could also see a romantic side to the concrete pillars and ceilings when other architects were suggesting covering up the concrete with plaster. As well as the concrete, this grand Victorian came with a 12-metre-high void at the core – originally conceived as a lift shaft with the approved planning permit that Techne inherited.

Rather than giving over this extraordinary void to performing one function, Techne created an internal garden with the assistance of Ayus Botanical that included an operable glass roof that could purge warm air during the summer months and be closed during more inclement weather.

The other strategic move made by the team was to create flexible spaces for a couple who work from home and have a young child. So, there’s a library on the first floor, complete with a mezzanine that can be used every day or for client meetings.

A spiral staircase leading to the rooftop terrace.Credit: Tom Blachford

Techne also included a separate office nook that benefits from a view into the void.

Given there are 360-degree views of the CBD on the upper levels, Techne located the kitchen and dining areas on the top level, with a spiral staircase leading to the rooftop terrace – the latter complete with a plunge pool and alfresco dining area.

Given the owner’s history as a chef, the kitchen is far from traditional and includes generous swathes of green marble and stainless-steel benches.

Cobalt blue was used on the new steel staircase.Credit: Tom Blachford

And rather than the usual butler’s kitchen concealed to one side, here the open arrangement is more of a cocktail bar as much as a place to prepare food. The existing in-situ concrete also comes to the fore, creating a play between the raw and more luxe finishes.

The word ‘sumptuous’ is often used in period homes. And this one has many lavish original details such as open marble fireplaces, decorative rosettes and cornices along with leadlight in the side panels of the front door.

But this word takes on a new meaning when one views the contemporary insertions – such as a multi-faced mirrored wall in a guest powder room, adorned with lights by Alex Earl. It makes the space appear to go on indefinitely.

Other features include the sinuous timber wine racks in the basement that are an artwork in their own right.

“Our clients didn’t hold back with our ideas, but obviously, we followed their brief,” says Phythian, pointing out the plush cobalt blue carpet on the treads of the original staircase and a similar blue used on the new steel staircase that connects the main bedroom suite and library to the kitchen and dining area above.

Whatever could be preserved within the Victorian footprint was achieved – including a singular Corinthian column that was unearthed as part of the renovation.

“It felt like an archaeological dig at times. We certainly didn’t want to whitewash the Victorian era but we also wanted to create different experiences and not just one look or feel,” says Travers who, as with his restaurant and hospitality work, knows the importance of engagement and experience.

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