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Architecture
Before & After
Before & After: A Leaky, Falling-Down Victorian Terrace Reborn
See how a small Melbourne terrace, untouched for over 100 years, was remade into a functional home for a modern family
In this Q&A series, we turn the spotlight on one thought-provoking renovation, redesign or new build. Here, architect Anthony Chan, architect and director at Chan Architecture, shares how he created more space, light and functionality in a small and run-down terrace on a 154-square-metre block for a family of four.
Facade before works.
What was the original house like?
A circa-1900, single-fronted Victorian terrace house on a narrow 6.4-metre-wide block.
When we came onboard, it was in quite a poor state. There were several structural cracks and leaks – unsurprising, given the house had never been renovated since being built over 100 years ago.
Looking to rework your own too-small home? Find an architect near you on Houzz
What was the original house like?
A circa-1900, single-fronted Victorian terrace house on a narrow 6.4-metre-wide block.
When we came onboard, it was in quite a poor state. There were several structural cracks and leaks – unsurprising, given the house had never been renovated since being built over 100 years ago.
Looking to rework your own too-small home? Find an architect near you on Houzz
Ground-floor plan after works.
What wasn’t working for the client?
It was too small for their family of four, with only two bedrooms and one bathroom. The living and dining rooms were in separate small rooms and they were very dark as they had no windows.
The old kitchen and laundry were at the back of the house, with very little connection to the rear courtyard.
What wasn’t working for the client?
It was too small for their family of four, with only two bedrooms and one bathroom. The living and dining rooms were in separate small rooms and they were very dark as they had no windows.
The old kitchen and laundry were at the back of the house, with very little connection to the rear courtyard.
First-floor plan after works.
How did they want to be able to use the house?
They wanted a house where family and friends could gather in a light-filled family room, with easy access to the outdoors for the kids to play.
They also wanted the house to have separate zones and spaces to give both parents and children some flexibility.
How did they want to be able to use the house?
They wanted a house where family and friends could gather in a light-filled family room, with easy access to the outdoors for the kids to play.
They also wanted the house to have separate zones and spaces to give both parents and children some flexibility.
Living/dining areas before works.
What was your brief?
What was your brief?
- Create an open-plan kitchen/living/dining space at the heart of the home that leads out to a new rear deck.
- To convert the existing front two bedrooms into a play room, which could double as a fourth bedroom and home office.
- Design an upper-level addition housing two bedrooms and an ensuite. When the children grow older, the plan is to convert the upstairs rooms into a parents’ retreat and convert the original front two rooms back into bedrooms for the kids.
- Include a bathroom in every zone.
Walls throughout and kitchen joinery painted in Natural White: Dulux; 3D Picket Mosaic tiles: Academy Tiles; Pin wall lamp in the kitchen and Palma pendant in the dining area: Koda Lighting.
What were their must-haves?
What was your scope of work?
We provided full service architectural services, including schematic design, town planning, construction documentation and construction phase.
What were their must-haves?
- An abundance of storage.
- Lots of natural light, especially in the main living space.
- The Koda Palma suspended pendant light over the dining table.
What was your scope of work?
We provided full service architectural services, including schematic design, town planning, construction documentation and construction phase.
Tell us about the kitchen
The U-shape kitchen is tucked into the building and overlooks the backyard. The benchtop sweeps around in an organic motion, encouraging circulation and creating space for stools.
The U-shape kitchen is tucked into the building and overlooks the backyard. The benchtop sweeps around in an organic motion, encouraging circulation and creating space for stools.
Colour Studio square mosaic tiles on splashback: Artedomus.
The kitchen splashback, with its square mosaic tiles and charcoal grout, makes a unique, graphic statement, using relatively inexpensive materials.
The kitchen splashback, with its square mosaic tiles and charcoal grout, makes a unique, graphic statement, using relatively inexpensive materials.
Timber flooring throughout: Sublime Flooring.
Where did you focus your attention with this project?
We focused on maximising space and natural light on this project, given the relatively small lot size.
Where did you focus your attention with this project?
We focused on maximising space and natural light on this project, given the relatively small lot size.
Hallway before works.
Where did most of the AU$950,000 budget go?
Into the rear and upstairs extensions.
Where did most of the AU$950,000 budget go?
Into the rear and upstairs extensions.
Hallway after works.
What look and feel did you want to create?
A feeling of openness and natural light, particularly in the rear extension.
What look and feel did you want to create?
A feeling of openness and natural light, particularly in the rear extension.
Rear of the house before works.
Rear of the house after works.
Tell us about the new deck
Our client loves outdoor living, so they requested that the kitchen have a servery bar that led out to a timber deck for alfresco dining.
The servery window and bi-fold doors can be opened up to create even more connection with the outdoor space in the warm weather. A rich timber finish was chosen for the rear facade to add warmth and texture.
Tell us about the new deck
Our client loves outdoor living, so they requested that the kitchen have a servery bar that led out to a timber deck for alfresco dining.
The servery window and bi-fold doors can be opened up to create even more connection with the outdoor space in the warm weather. A rich timber finish was chosen for the rear facade to add warmth and texture.
Natural Oak laminate in the study nook: Polytec.
What are the main elements of the internal colour and materials palette?
The palette features neutral colours, with pops of blue in the kitchen and the staircase wall, and soft greens in the bathrooms.
When it came to materiality, we chose a durable, robust and tactile palette of materials that would be suitable for a young family.
What are the main elements of the internal colour and materials palette?
The palette features neutral colours, with pops of blue in the kitchen and the staircase wall, and soft greens in the bathrooms.
When it came to materiality, we chose a durable, robust and tactile palette of materials that would be suitable for a young family.
Was space a challenge with this project?
Yes. Due to the relatively small site size of only 154 square metres, we had very limited space to work with, so we worked hard to ensure that every area was cleverly designed to make the best use of the area we had.
We made the interior feel bigger and more open by having high ceilings throughout, building boundary to boundary, and by opening up the rear facade to the courtyard/deck. The design of the open stair treads with perforated metal balustrading also helps make the space feel as big as possible.
In the living room, which has a relatively small footprint, we specified an open modular shelving system, along with large cupboards that carry through into the kitchen (which store pantry items, linen and miscellaneous household items). Both techniques were used to create a greater sense of space.
Yes. Due to the relatively small site size of only 154 square metres, we had very limited space to work with, so we worked hard to ensure that every area was cleverly designed to make the best use of the area we had.
We made the interior feel bigger and more open by having high ceilings throughout, building boundary to boundary, and by opening up the rear facade to the courtyard/deck. The design of the open stair treads with perforated metal balustrading also helps make the space feel as big as possible.
In the living room, which has a relatively small footprint, we specified an open modular shelving system, along with large cupboards that carry through into the kitchen (which store pantry items, linen and miscellaneous household items). Both techniques were used to create a greater sense of space.
Area under the stairs painted in Copycat: Dulux.
Tell us about the blue under the stairs
We felt that a bold gesture was needed for the wall behind the staircase. Along with the vertical V-groove wall panelling, the blue wall encourages people to look up, emphasising the connection between the ground and first floors.
Blocks of blue and green were used throughout the house to create consistency and so the various spaces relate to each other.
Tell us about the blue under the stairs
We felt that a bold gesture was needed for the wall behind the staircase. Along with the vertical V-groove wall panelling, the blue wall encourages people to look up, emphasising the connection between the ground and first floors.
Blocks of blue and green were used throughout the house to create consistency and so the various spaces relate to each other.
This custom wall-mounted joinery was added as a storage unit for the young family. We designed it to be raised off the ground to create a sense of space around it, and powder-coated it the same colour as the wall to make it blend in with its surrounds.
The master bedroom.
Graph tiles on splashback: Classic Ceramics.
Tell us about this bathroom
This is the main downstairs bathroom, which includes a shower, bath, vanity and toilet. A palette of soft-green tiles with white grout create a simple and graphic element that is similar to the kitchen splashback.
Tell us about this bathroom
This is the main downstairs bathroom, which includes a shower, bath, vanity and toilet. A palette of soft-green tiles with white grout create a simple and graphic element that is similar to the kitchen splashback.
What challenges did you face with this project?
The main challenge was how to create a house with a generous sense of space when the site is so small and there are heritage constraints, which meant that any extension had to be largely hidden from the street.
The main challenge was how to create a house with a generous sense of space when the site is so small and there are heritage constraints, which meant that any extension had to be largely hidden from the street.
What are the defining features of the house now?
I think the striking thing that most people find when they visit the house is how spacious, open and bright it feels, particularly in the open-plan extension – surprising, given it’s a typical, single-fronted Victorian terrace at the front.
Once inside, people notice the smaller details, such as the clever joinery ideas and the selection of simple finishes done differently.
Your turn
Are you as impressed by this renovation and addition as we are? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images for your own renovation inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Keen to see another period home makeover? Don’t miss this Sydney Houzz: From Empty Shell to a Luxe, Layered Delight
I think the striking thing that most people find when they visit the house is how spacious, open and bright it feels, particularly in the open-plan extension – surprising, given it’s a typical, single-fronted Victorian terrace at the front.
Once inside, people notice the smaller details, such as the clever joinery ideas and the selection of simple finishes done differently.
Your turn
Are you as impressed by this renovation and addition as we are? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images for your own renovation inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Keen to see another period home makeover? Don’t miss this Sydney Houzz: From Empty Shell to a Luxe, Layered Delight
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Who lives here: A couple with two children
Location: Middle Park, Victoria
House size before works: 98 square metres
House size after works: 182 square metres
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms originally: Two bedrooms, one bathroom
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms after works: Four bedrooms, two bathrooms
Budget: AU$950,000
Project started: April 2018
Project completed: December 2020
Architect: Anthony Chan at Chan Architecture
Interior designer: Doherty Design Studio
Builder: APC Build