City Homes

Architect Melanie Beynon’s Future-Proof Edwardian Family Home

Architect Melanie Beynon loved her existing Edwardian home in Prahran but her family was in need of more space to grow.

Rather than moving to a larger house, Melanie designed her own clever renovation and extension of the compact home comprising a new indoor living area and outdoor courtyard.

The hardworking addition — connected to the original house by a minimal glass walkway — has expanded the home’s accommodation, while drawing the eye towards the courtyard.

Written
by
Amelia Barnes
|
Photography
by

Artwork on right by Kate Tucker. Husk armchair by B&B Italia. Maralunga sofa by Cassina. Ottoman from MAP Furniture. Artwork above door by Louise Blyton. Mantis light from In Good Company. Sibast Furniture dining chairs from In Good Company.

Artwork on right by Kate Tucker. Husk armchair by B&B Italia. Maralunga sofa by Cassina. Ottoman from MAP Furniture.

A minimal glass hallway links the original house to the versatile new living space.

‘The glass link is a dramatic feature exposing us to the weather conditions! Lying in the sun under the skylight is dreamy,’ says Melanie.

The new central courtyard is directly accessible from the living room.

The courtyard also works to acoustically separate the family into adult and kids zones, while retaining a visual connection between the two areas.

Artwork above door by Louise Blyton. Mantis light from In Good Company. Sibast Furniture dining chairs from In Good Company.

Artwork by David Band. Loom rug. joinery painted Dulux Natural White. Aluminium splash back powder coated in Dulux Shoji White.

The addition is built with longevity in mind featuring a robust material palette of bricks, concrete, and plywood (that even can withstand the occasional basketball bouncing off the walls).

The addition is softened by abundant natural and integrated artificial light.

The glass walkway extends past the new central courtyard.

Writer
Amelia Barnes
Photography
2nd of June 2023

Architect Melanie Beynon’s Edwardian home in Prahran, Melbourne was charming but no longer fit for purpose. The family of four required additional space to ‘break away’ and a more functional floor plan.

Melanie’s challenge was to create more space on a single level without dominating the compact inner-city block. ‘The vision for our home was longevity,’ she says.

A new minimal glass hallway links the original house to the versatile living space. This new space is built with longevity in mind, featuring a robust material palette including bricks, concrete, and plywood (that even can withstand the occasional basketball bouncing off the walls).

The glass walkway extends past a new central courtyard and draws light and greenery into the interiors. ‘The glass link is a dramatic feature exposing us to the weather conditions. Lying in the sun under the skylight is dreamy,’ says Melanie.

The courtyard also works to acoustically separate the family into adult and kids zones, while retaining a visual connection between the two areas.

In the original home, the open-plan kitchen, living and dining area has been renovated to maximise functionality and storage. Materials and colours including joinery painted Dulux Natural White, white Vola tapware, and an aluminium splash back powder coated in Dulux Shoji White stand out against the original stained timber floor and a stained solid oak island bench.

When standing in the main living area, the eye is now naturally drawn to the sliding doors that extend outside to the north. Views to neighbouring properties have also been blocked out through strategically placed steel-framed windows.

The updated house still presents as an original Edwardian, but step inside and there’s a clear view to the contemporary spaces at the rear. It’s a house that delights and surprises, without affecting the existing streetscape, and providing room for the family to grow.

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