Park Residence, at the time a Presbyterian manse, was constructed in 1856 in the Williamstown area of Melbourne. A single of city’s oldest surviving residences, it is suitably determined and rugged, modest and squat. Area architecture agency Pleysier Perkins was billed by the house’s new homeowners with its delicate restoration and acquiring room for a discreet but sizeable and indulgence-pleasant extension.
The architects drew up plans for a mild-loaded, three-story (one underground) concrete box, housing extra bedrooms, living spaces, a wine cellar, a curing home, a health and fitness center, and a kitchen area in shape and substantial plenty of for considerably less parsimonious preparations, all mainly hidden at the rear of the two-storey blue stone primary dwelling and established in lush planting.
(Image credit score: Sean Fennessy)
Phase within this present day Park Dwelling
Though construction was beneath way, Melbourne-dependent inside design and architecture studio Mim Style and design was brought on board to oversee a joyful marriage of outdated and new. It was a undertaking that grew in scope claims Miriam (Mim) Fanning, principal of Mim Patterns: ‘What began as an inner overview shortly evolved into a important inside architecture venture prioritising spatial scheduling as a result of to whole inside detailing in the course of the heritage and new element of the home. We adopted as a result of with the completion of a entire furniture, artwork and add-ons bundle.’
(Graphic credit: Sean Fennessy)
Fanning and team devised a material palette that echoes the rough and tumble of the primary bluestone facade, making use of slice and chiselled stone in charcoals and dove greys, developed to age gracefully and complementing spans of uncooked concrete. These are softened by timber panelling, whilst sculptural items, artwork-topped plinths and island benches propose a effectively-appointed non-public gallery.
(Image credit score: Sean Fennessy)
The authentic eye-catchers of the extension, though, are a gently spiralling staircase in blackened metal and a double-height fireplace in dim grey quartzite. The centrepiece kitchen area – the new homeowners are enthusiastic entertainers – matches chiselled and hammered grey marble with black-stained American oak cabinetry and gunmetal detailing and features a hanging gray leather-based banquette. The a lot more modest rooms of the first properties, meanwhile, are imagined as intimate retreats, employing natural and organic varieties and a soapier color scheme.
(Graphic credit: Sean Fennessy)
The new homeowners, and their teams of architects and designers, have been identified that the excellent of supplies, craft and interest to depth carry cohesion to the task. ‘Each and just about every trade worked tirelessly to produce a house that would continue on to stand in the neighborhood as a pillar of heritage preservation, although addressing the modern needs of a hard-doing work and experiential property,’ claims Mim Design’s artistic director Emma Mahlook.
(Picture credit score: Sean Fennessy)
The shift in between old and new is a lot more smooth changeover than unnerving jolt. And though the new addition may possibly not remember to tricky-line preservationists, the unique dwelling has been restored with treatment, not as a museum piece but as portion of a household which features worldly pleasures and meditative moments. ‘It was an attention-grabbing balancing act in restraint and abundance,’ suggests Lisa Ransom, associate at Mim Layout.
(Image credit score: Sean Fennessy)
(Picture credit rating: Sean Fennessy)
(Impression credit history: Sean Fennessy)
(Image credit rating: Sean Fennessy)
(Impression credit rating: Sean Fennessy)
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