Expanded suburban home transformed into two linked, eye-catching residences
In the heart of Melbourne's Clifton Hill, a suburban house underwent a remarkable transformation, becoming a double home that seamlessly blends innovation with respect for its surroundings. The mastermind behind this project, named Scarborough and Welkin, is architect Stewart Hollenstein.
The original house, with its wood-lined staircase connecting the attic rooms to the two levels of the main house, served as a solid foundation for the new development. The attic, now transformed into two bedrooms, a bathroom, and utility space, is connected to the kitchen diner and the living room and principal bedroom suite of the main house.
The original entrance porch has been preserved, while later additions at the rear have been removed to accommodate the new house. The new addition, instead of appearing as a separate structure, intertwines with the existing house, creating a harmonious whole.
The roofscape of both houses blends together, with separate terraces for each dwelling that step up and down across the site. The original terracotta tiles have been left as a backdrop to the roof garden, adding a touch of charm to the modern design.
The building mass of the new house is permeated with cracks and fissures, allowing natural ventilation and filtered northern sunlight. This design feature, combined with careful planning and sun modelling, has improved outdoor spaces and created angled new structures that harmonise with the surroundings.
The new house includes roof gardens, terraces, and a complex circulation network of paths and walkways. A covered parking route and a timber and steel arbour lead to its front door, providing both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
Sustainability was a key focus of this project. It includes battery storage, a heat pump for hot water, rainwater recovery and storage for irrigation, and EV charging points. The upper roof area of the new house is occupied by a solar array, further emphasising the commitment to eco-friendliness.
The set back of the new house preserves the heritage character of Clifton Hill, ensuring that the project engages respectfully and modestly with its surroundings. The original chimney remains as a brick totem amidst the new planting, privacy screens, seating areas, and steps that criss-cross the site.
Justin Mallia, the architect who realised this innovative project, stated that it achieves a balance that is bold and innovative while engaging respectfully and modestly with its surroundings. The Scarborough and Welkin project creatively reinvents a flexible approach to modern housing, setting a new standard for sustainable and aesthetically pleasing home transformations.
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