Sea Green and Curved Glass Give a Melbourne Extension Aquatic Vibes

In the early 20th century, an urban planning movement that promoted small communities set around a central city and separated by greenbelts began to gain momentum. These so-called "garden cities" balanced the best of country and city living, and one such example is Williamstown North, a leafy suburb of Melbourne. When local firm Architecture Architecture set out to renovate and extend a rundown cottage in the neighborhood, they were careful to honor those principals.

"Located on a corner lot with its backyard facing onto Park Crescent, this project presented us with an usual challenge: how to create a private backyard while contributing to the generous, green park life of the heritage streetscape," says architect and project director Michael Roper.

The firm built off the side of the cottage, creating an addition that includes an open-plan kitchen, dining, and living space. It’s fronted with a curving glass wall that’s reminiscent of an aquarium, which frames an exterior planter and a circular courtyard.