eaglemont house
Extension/Renovation _ Eaglemont VIC. Australia _ Completed 2023
This residential renovation and extension project in Eaglemont is an exploration of the relationship between a home, its environment, and the people who inhabit it.
The project involved reimagining a single-storey Edwardian house that had suffered from a poorly conceived extension at the rear. The previous extension, which was dark and south-facing, included a covered outdoor entertaining area that was damp and uninviting due to its poor orientation. Recognising the potential of the site and the original dwelling, we demolished the outdated extension to make way for a new, light-filled addition that would create a healthier, more connected living environment; one that embraced its surroundings and harnessed the benefits of natural light.
The program of the home reflects a careful consideration of existing and new spaces. The original dwelling has been refurbished to accommodate private areas, including bedrooms and a master suite with an ensuite and walk-in robe. The extension houses the primary living areas - kitchen, dining, and living - along with a laundry and family bathroom. The laundry and bathroom, positioned adjacent to the threshold between old and new, occupy a space with limited access to natural light, while the living areas are located to the east and north, capturing abundant sunlight and connecting seamlessly to the garden.
The configuration of the extension is anchored by bagged masonry walls which not only define new living spaces, but provide a sense of permanence and protection. The masonry walls also provide thermal mass to help regulate the home’s interior climate, creating a comfortable living environment year-round. The bagged brickwork is exposed inside to blur the boundaries between the interior and exterior of the home. Its textured surface, more commonly found in external spaces, subtly connects the home with its surrounding landscape, establishing a tactile link between the indoors and outdoors.
Floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors are strategically placed to facilitate a seamless connection between the interior and the expansive garden, ensuring that the beauty of the landscape is woven into the fabric of the home. The double glazing enhances the home’s thermal performance, allowing for a more energy-efficient dwelling while maintaining connection to the outdoors. The integration of bluestone paving, a material synonymous with Melbourne’s built environment, extends this transition, linking the interior spaces to the outdoor entertaining and recreational areas, further emphasising the connection between the house and its verdant surrounds.
The extension is clad in rough-sawn hardwood, which becomes a screen over high-level east and west-facing windows. The texture and colour of the hardwood creates a visual link between the home and the surrounding tree tops, reinforcing the project’s integration with its natural context.
A clerestory roof form with north-facing high-level windows allows mid-winter sun to penetrate deep into the heart of the home. This design element ensures that the spaces remain bright and welcoming, even during Melbourne's cooler months. The dramatic raked ceilings in the kitchen-dining area and family bathroom further elevate the spatial quality of the project, enhancing the sense of openness and lightness.
This project continues our belief that a healthy home strikes a balance between protection and prospect; offering shelter from the outside world, while also allowing meaningful engagement with the natural environment. At Eaglemont House, the design seeks to create spaces that are both nurturing and expansive, where the interior is protected from the elements, yet continuously inspired by the surrounding landscape, encouraging a harmonious dialogue between the home and its context.
BENT Team:
Paul Porjazoski, Alice Davies, Michael Germano
Structural Engineer:
Marcon Tedesco O'Neill P/L
Builder:
Form Building Solutions
Photography:
Tatjana Plitt
