Abbotsford Street

Location: North Melbourne, Victoria

Status: Completed in 2022

Alteration & addition of existing double-storey Victorian terrace house.

The old Victorian house on Abbotsford Street needed a contemporary touch alongside an internalisation of oddly placed outdoor amenities. The design proposal focused on zoning considerations based on loud and quiet spaces while adding walls to extend the house to form internal spaces. Adding onto the simple brief, an alcove space that internalises an external storage area, designed as a space for respite that brings in the morning sun. This space is connected to the dining area and is enlarged by demolishing the wall in between. Further, the kitchen was extended by transforming the existing window to span the whole length of the kitchen with additional louvred high windows for stack ventilation. This design intervention of excessive glazing was feasible due to the south orientation of the kitchen area. The essence of the curved kitchen bench restored through the new curved shelving unit that further guides individuals into the kitchen area. Finally, the muted, light colour palette acts as a backdrop for the bright and colourful main character of the household that passionately cooks away.