Viridescent House

Located on a gently sloping site in a heritage-graded precinct of Hawthorn East, this project is a renovation and extension to an existing double-fronted Victorian terrace home.
Architect Chan Architecture
Completed 2024
Details Renovation and Addition
Location Hawthorn East
WINNER 2024 Kitchen of the Year Housing Industry Australia
WINNER 2024 Renovation/Addition Project $1.5M - $2M Housing Industry Australia
WINNER 2024 Renovated Bathroom up to $40K Housing Industry Australia
WINNER 2024 New Kitchen $40K-$80K Housing Industry Australia


The original front rooms have been transformed into a master bedroom with an ensuite, a home office, and a guest bedroom, updated with new finishes and light fittings.

Responding to the northerly rear orientation, the new generous kitchen, dining and living spaces connect seamlessly to the backyard via large sliding stacker doors.  A palette of pale oak timbers, warm greys and lightly textured stone, add texture and warmth to the spaces, with subtle blue accent joinery and wall finishes for a touch of colour.

An internal courtyard with an open steel and glass feature staircase brings light into the centre of the house and serves as a focal point, leading to the two upstairs bedrooms, bathrooms and children’s retreat.

 

 

Externally the rear façade features cement-sheet cladding with semi-random expressed joints, punctuated by the upstairs retreat window with metal surrounds.  This is contrasted with the textured, handmade pressed bricks on the ground level and organic curves in the backyard landscaping.

With a strong commitment to sustainability, this project also incorporates passive design principles to minimise energy usage and carbon emission. This included the specification of highly insulated double glazed PVC windows, extensive thermal insulation to all external walls and roofs, high-performing building wrap to minimise air leakage and a HRV system to redistribute air circulation throughout the home.