A $437K Retrofit Turns a Dilapidated Edwardian Into a High-Design Haven

A first-time owner-builder masterfully crafts a home for a family of six in Melbourne, Australia.

A $437K Retrofit Turns a Dilapidated Edwardian Into a High-Design Haven

A first-time owner-builder masterfully crafts a home for a family of six in Melbourne, Australia.

Timber-framed glass sliding doors open up the interiors to the outdoors and natural light. Western red cedar shingles and Tasmanian Oak shiplap clad the exterior.

Working with a first-time owner-builder can be challenging, but Melbourne architect Melanie Beynon had no reservations when she started collaborating with the new owners of a Northcote Edwardian home.

"The clients’ attention to detail was second to none," says Beynon of the couple, one of whom was her husband’s former bass guitar teacher. "They handpicked the timbers for the build and worked with trades that were willing to teach and guide them. They took the design and documentation, and made the best of it with execution."

Timber-framed glass sliding doors open up the interiors to the outdoors and natural light. Western red cedar shingles and Tasmanian Oak shiplap clad the exterior.

Timber-framed glass sliding doors open up the interior to the outdoors and natural light. Western red cedar shingles and Tasmanian oak shiplap clad the exterior.

Tom Blachford

The view from the kids'

The view from the kids’ zone located in the original part of the house. The architects kept the Edwardian layout of four bedrooms with a central hallway.

Tom Blachford

The clients had purchased the Edwardian in a Melbourne suburb with the intent of renovating and expanding the building to better suit their young family of six.

Guided by the family’s desire for an abundance of natural light and acoustic isolation, the design team organized the house into two zones—one for adults and the other for the children—located on opposite ends of the house. The areas are joined in the middle by a central living space.

Inside one of the kids' bedrooms at the front of the house is a Oeuf Perch Loft Double Bed, Pumpkin Armchair by Linne Roset and Grain Cut side table in black from Domo.

Inside one of the kids’ bedrooms at the front of the house is an Oeuf Perch lofted double bed, a Pumpkin armchair by Ligne Roset, and a Grain Cut side table in black from Domo.

Tom Blachford

See the full story on Dwell.com: A $437K Retrofit Turns a Dilapidated Edwardian Into a High-Design Haven
Related stories: