Old meets new in the luxury renovation of this historical Melbourne mansion
Renovating the former private residence of a pioneering modern architect in Melbourne’s Toorak was a labour of love for this leading architect.
When Techne principal Nick Travers was tasked with renovating a 1920s home in the exclusive Melbourne suburb of Toorak, he knew the project was special.
Not only did theproperty enjoy dual street frontage, the house was originally the private residence of one of Australia’s pioneering modernist architects, Rodney Alsop.
A founding member of Victoria’s arts and crafts movement in the early 20th century, Alsop built a home that featured many of the hallmarks of the architectural trend, including Gothic vaulted ceilings and the use of dark wood internally.
Commissioned to transform the property into a contemporary abode for a family of four, Travers says he loved the quirkiness of the century-old building.
“It was clear there was some personality in the house, and the connection to Alsop was motivating,” he says.
Recognising the property’s heritage overlay, Techne conceived a renovation that preserved key elements of the original home while carrying many of its motifs into the 21st century.
At the front of the house, the old and the new now merge in spectacular fashion.
The February issue of Mansion magazine is out today inside your copy of The Australian
The north-facing lounge and dining rooms have been opened up to create a spacious living area, while part of the original veranda, which boasts an impressive cloistered ceiling, has been enclosed to enlarge the dining area.
The extended dining space now opens to a stunning concrete pavilion, conceived by the Melbourne-based architecture and interior design practice as a sculptural gesture that celebrates the home’s original arches.
Detached from the house and designed in consultation with the local council’s heritage adviser, the pavilion offers a statement external dining space, as well as a strong connection to the generous front garden.
Supported by steel columns, the structure includes travertine flooring, planter boxes, and stylish plinths scattered with leather cushions to cleverly provide additional seating.
Techne also sought to make the most of the sunlit front garden by building a stunning terraced swimming pool area against the front wall.
Thanks to the construction of a ha-ha wall, which effectively creates a trench to achieve fence compliance, the pool sits seamlessly in the landscape.
“When you’re in the pavilion and looking out towards the pool, you’re seeing an infinity edge and a layer of landscaping,” Travers says of the effect.
“So it doesn’t specifically look like a fence, but the edge of the pool is the fence itself.”
To optimise the property’s north-oriented living space, the arched entrance on the home’s eastern side has been retained, along with its wrought iron light fitting.
Inside the home, the wrought iron balustrade of the original staircase, which features a charming seahorse motif, has also been maintained, as has the lounge room’s chic black steel-framed French doors and the original leadlight glass windows framing the room’s fireplace.
However, to meet the client’s desire to lighten the interiors, the home’s dark timber ceiling beams have been painted white. The hallway floor and central stairs are now clad in a pale Calacatta Oro marble, and a new skylight floods the stairway with light.
Stylish floorboards designed by Patricia Urquiola for Listone Giordano carry a scalloped pattern throughout the lounge area and into the new kitchen, where the marble island bench also features curves in a subtle nod to Alsop’s use of arches.
While the kitchen and butler’s pantry boast a sleek modern design, both areas showcase dark cabinetry that references the home’s arts and crafts origin. Adjoining the kitchen, the family room décor includes a plinth made from dark marble, the same stone found in the powder room and the master ensuite.
Although black and white dominate the home’s palette, Techne interior designer Bianca Baldi collaborated with the client to create a rich décor that incorporates pops of colour like the striking gold Edra Scrigno cabinet that glistens in the dining space.
The project included extending the home to the rear boundary of the 855sq m block.
The extension enabled the addition of a guest bedroom and ensuite, as well as a two-car garage with internal access and a basement rumpus room.
Featuring sultry blue curtains and a custom-made hideaway bar, the rumpus room is a flexible play space for both adults and children, Travers says.
Upstairs in the home, an opulent master retreat boasting a dedicated dressing room shares the floor with the bedrooms of the family’s two teenage sons.
Travers says he’s pleased by the fundamental retention of the property’s original features, as well as the way the detailing in new parts of the home “feeds off” Alsop’s design to deliver a beautiful residence.
“It’s not a modest house at all, but it’s also only as big as this contemporary family required,” he says.
“It’s a winner of a location and it was a very nice project to be involved in.”
This story is from the February issue of Mansion magazine, out today in The Australian.
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