Elwood Residence is an existing Edwardian home in need of a major overhaul and extension by architecture studio Robert Nichol & Sons, located in Elwood, Victoria, Australia. This stunning contemporary 2,669 square foot (248 square meters) home was completed in 2013, with interior design carried out by designer Dominique Rizzotto. The home originally had several problems, including poor orientation, improper ventilation and not a very strong connection to its surrounding environment. The architects discovered that the resolution to these qualities was to create an extension to the home. The extension embraces the northern exposure to the rear of the home to bring in natural light, create proper ventilation and to blur the boundaries between indoors and out.

Description from the architects:

The clients request to handle the transition of new to old with a considered contrast whilst settling the building into its neighbourhood context was the other driving principal of the project.

The aspiration was to create a graphic form in opposition to the existing house. The corner block provided an opportunity to handle this tension by having the new edition visible only from the side street whilst the existing frontage remains intact with its existing streetscape.

Materiality is utilised to express the graphic nature of the block forms that configure the rear elevation. A combination of cedar boards, brickwork, aluminium window frames and linear steel screens create the definition of the different forms.

Private areas help to connect the central corridor in the existing house then transition into the open communal living area to help promote family interaction and relaxation.

The abundance of natural light and outlook evokes feelings of refuge and prospect that are undeniably relaxing.The abundance of natural light and outlook evokes feelings of refuge and prospect that are undeniably relaxing.

Photos: Michael Evans