Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)

Projects in this category must be residential in nature, generally falling within BCA Class 1a, and must include renovations or alterations or additions to an existing building, whether or not the building was residential in nature in the first instance. Projects with up to two self-contained dwellings may be entered in this category.

Jury chair report

The Residential Alterations and Additions category included many delightful and beautiful renovations delivered by highly skilled architectural and builder teams. There were entries by practitioners who have finely honed their craft over time and developed real expertise in this type of project. Most of the projects were in the inner suburbs, within complex urban conditions with close neighbours, and frequently involved retention and reworking of heritage fabric, generally of the unlisted type. The value placed on Melbourne’s existing buildings by architects and clients alike, and the care with which these structures have had their lives extended through sharp analysis, reframing and reprogramming, was inspiring and often ingenious. Even though this category comprises private residences, the jury was interested in projects that gave something back to the city, enabling retention and enhancement of the qualities of streetscapes, landscapes and built forms interfacing with the public realm, which everyone can enjoy. Many of the shortlisted projects were modest in scale and footprint, working carefully with what was found to rearrange and reconfigure life within, revealing latent opportunities and moments of delight with simple and economical design moves. This approach of working inventively and efficiently with existing conditions was a fundamental criteria in our initial assessment. The awarded projects all took this further, revealing new possibilities that go beyond the expected norms of a typical house. Flexibility, ambiguity and openness to new ways of living mean that each of these projects can be understood as prototypes. There is also the manner of working with material and detail; the craft of architecture is high in these projects. This does not always mean the most exotic or expensive approach to detailing, but rather the most appropriate resolution of new and old techniques that provides balance and allows a genuine resonance between the new expression and what came before.

The John and Phyllis Murphy Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)

Sunday by Architecture architecture

Wurundjeri Country

The only clue that anything has changed from outside is a fresh coat of yellow paint on the door and balustrade, two tonnes of yellow subtly announcing some sort of curious intent. On entering through the familiar single-storey terrace threshold, an unexpected materiality of large external precast pavers on the floor completely reframes what is possible within a standard Melbourne terrace allotment. The spaces of this building hug close to the ground, and the surprisingly warm concrete pavers continue throughout, linking and extending inside and out. Surrounded and overlooked by taller buildings, with no street setback and directly abutting a tough rear lane. The interior world is a complete oasis, where realities of the city are made to effortlessly float away. The occupants are immersed in breeze and greenery that is gently running wild. In a block of only 165 square metres, a rich variety of spatial types and experiences is provided: expansion, compression, intimacy, openness, conviviality and solitude. This is a house for writing and reading alone, but we can equally imagine the whole thing as a party. The architects have intensely channelled the specific sensibilities and life experiences of their clients to create a house where visitors can also immediately feel at home.

Practice team: Michael Roper (Design Architect), Nick James (Design Architect), Angus Hamilton (Project Architect), Daria Selleck (Project Architect) Builder: Grenville Architectural Construction Photographer: Tom Ross

Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)

Armadale House by Neeson Murcutt Neille Wurundjeri Country

Stepping past the high fence and onto the site, it is not apparent that any alteration or addition has been undertaken. The form of the double-fronted, two-storey Victorian manor house appears intact, its heritage details restored. The careful removal of existing fabric and delicate insertions, which have been made throughout the house, only becomes clear as you begin your journey within.

The project is economical in its planning and restricted use of materials. The architects appreciated that the existing house was large enough, and the client’s programmatic brief has been carefully inserted within the footprint of the existing building. The kitchen forms the social hub of the home, with key living spaces and functions radiating from this central point. Sculptural skylights and carefully placed openings provide ample light within and emphasise connections with the established garden, offering a sense of surprise and delight.

A high level of skill and craft is apparent in the detailing throughout. A new folded steel staircase, illuminated from above, appears to almost float within the existing hallway. Folded steel is used again to form openings, establish datums and cohesively tie building elements together. The considered additions and insertions are in constant dialogue with the quality, scale and quiet grandeur of the existing home. The final result is seamless and beautifully understated.

Practice team: Rachel Neeson (Design Director), Stephen Neille (Design Director), David Coleborne (Project Lead), Ben Dixon (Graduate of Architecture)

Consultant / Construction team: Metro Building Surveying (Building Surveyor), SDA Structures Pty Ltd (Engineer), Fiona Brockhoff Design (Landscape Consultant)

Builder: ProvanBuilt

Photographer: Tom Ross

Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)

Helvetia by Austin Maynard Architects Wurundjeri Country

Helvetia emerges as a beacon of thoughtful architectural reinvention. Once a dark Victorian terrace, twice reconfigured and long in disrepair, it has been reimagined through a series of subtle yet transformative interventions. The surgical removal of problematic central spaces and a playful pivot towards the side laneway has led to a spatial metamorphosis, introducing multi-level gardens, improved connection to the outdoors, flexible spatial zoning, and a theatrical entry experience.

A true exercise in sustainability, the renovation champions reuse over demolition. The existing brick structure is not discarded but revitalised and repurposed, preserving the building’s history while bestowing a new vitality. Internally, the removal of partitioning walls creates openness and adaptability. A generous lightwell, etched out of the building’s core, bathes the interior in natural light. The home’s layout embraces the rhythms of its inhabitants, creating an urban haven that is playful and practical. Every detail, from re- glazing of the restored bay window to the reimagined balcony terrace, contributes to an elevated living experience.

This project is a testament to the restrained yet impactful decisions of Austin Maynard Architects. Seamlessly integrated into the streetscape, Helvetia’s curious details, like the fishpond entry, curved downpipes and subtle graphics, ignite intrigue and hint at an architectural treasure waiting to be discovered.

Practice team: Andrew Maynard (Design Architect), Mark Austin (Design Architect), Ray Dinh (Project Architect) Consultant / Construction team: Co-Struct (Engineer), Code Compliance (Building Surveyor)

Builder: Weiss Builders

Photographer: Derek Swalwell

Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)

Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)

Mary Street House by Edition Office

Bunurong Country

Surrounded by 19th-century built form, a sculptural object is presented via layers of a wall on the boundary, a wall set back within the site, and extrusion that turns with a soft curve beyond. On a challenging busy corner intersection, an existing home becomes a sanctuary that is artistic and entertaining, with sculpted masonry walls as a tolerant barrier between the line of public and private. The new elements offer a balance of acoustic and visual privacy that are generous to the public frontage while continuing its gesture to serve the occupants within.

A high level of tectonic and material control is carefully added to the existing bones of the house. As we enter through the old front door, hints of alterations appear before being greeted by the warmth of wood and moments of curated natural light. Transitioning past a tranquil courtyard, the masonry walls of the living space journey back outdoors, where a new extruded volume appears at the rear. The upper-level- sleeping quarters present a generous form that resolves and respects the complex surrounding built form through strategic alignment and careful leaving of gaps. This design provides an exemplar living environment balancing internal stillness and contemplation with a generous frontage to the constant moving scenes beyond the boundaries of the site.

Practice team: Kim Bridgland (Design Architect), Aaron Roberts (Design Architect), Erin Watson (Project Architect) Consultant / Construction team: Measure Consulting Engineers (Structural Engineer), Amanda Oliver (Landscape Consultant), Detail Green (ESD Consultant)

Builder: Format Group

Photographer: Rory Gardiner

Commendation for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)

Wrong Champ by WOWOWA Architecture

Country: Wurundjeri

The chance for an architect to design their own home is one which offers a unique opportunity to test ideas and hone their craft, and this project provides a robust, subtle, and clever outcome. Every element has been carefully considered, from the appreciation of the local grain and character of Fitzroy to embracing and working with the existing features and quirks of the house. The design will be able to change and respond to the occupants needs over time. Rooms and uses are adaptable. Joinery elements and storage are carefully planned. Everything has a place, but can shift, subject to the mode of living required. The final outcome makes a highly considered contribution to the neighbourhood at a micro-scale.

Builder: Built by Guild Pty Ltd

Photographer: Tom Ross

Country: Wurundjeri

Wrong Champ is a vibrant sanctuary, harmoniously blending tradition with contemporary design. The architects elegantly expand an arts-and-crafts inspired Californian bungalow, introducing light-filled courtyards and cathedral-like windows. More than a home, it’s a thoughtfully curated space for collections, with a complex Mediterranean colour palette breathing life into every corner. The reuse of stained glass and detailed ornamentation reflects a deep respect for its heritage. More than a stunning backdrop for a collection of precious items, the project celebrates the client’s individuality within the architecture itself, resulting in a striking testament to the power of thoughtful, client-centred design.

Builder: Topp Constructs

Photographer: Derek Swalwell