EXPERIENCE STRATEGY
Located within inner Melbourne, Park House fuses three distinct styles: the Victorian-era, contemporary additions added over time, and a European-influenced interior.
The reworked home becomes a balance of its past and present, through a considered approach, as a contemporary home that retains memories of a rich historical past while also feeling expressive of its current owners. Overlaying a cohesive planning approach and binding base materiality palette throughout, the various chapters and influences are brought together.
With much of the double-fronted home left untouched for some 70 years prior to the current owners
taking occupancy, the new works focus on retaining and restoring one of the chimneys which sat at
the back of the façade. The historical structure both acts as a reminder of how the home previously
would have been occupied and how fireplaces played such integral roles thermally, as well as a source
of heat to cook from and gather around. In its new iteration, it now serves as a central focal point in
the rear courtyard and as a divider between core public and private areas.
Retaining the character and the four principal rooms was established as the foundation for the other
open spaces, seeing the footprint expanded to accommodate daily moments of coming together.
Between the old and new, similar proportions are maintained, however increased openness. To the
rear, the main addition creates an open living, dining, and kitchen zone that reflects a more
contemporary occupation of the home. Encouraging and facilitating daily gathering, the flexibility in
the planning is planned to suit the dynamism of the years to come.
– Architecture & Interiors
DESIGN BY AD
Intersecting
Strategy with
Design
While the newly defined upper level accommodates the master bedroom, home office, ensuite and
associated robe spaces, it also serves as a disconnected retreat space. The openness at the ground
level is then enhanced through the insertion of large four-panel sliding doors that allow the interior
space to spill out effortlessly, as well as gaining access to natural light and ventilation. Throughout,
the materiality and palette is inspired by a global mindset and the owners own love of travel – and a
curation of collected objects, antiques and new additions fill the home.
Tucked away from view and deliberately scaled to not overwhelm the original silhouette, the addition
is intended to feel recessive, and together with a softening of the overall form through the use of
timber, texture and depth aim to balance the masonry of the original structure. Park House honours
it's architectural roots while elevating the everyday experience of the home now, as a private and
calm sanctuary, celebrated through a meticulous preservation of the past.
