This striking contemporary addition to a red brick residence in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs reimagines the family home for modern living, while thoughtfully responding to the evolving needs of a growing household. Designed to both contrast with and complement the original structure, the extension introduces a bold palette of raw concrete and sleek metal elements. These modern materials offer a crisp, industrial edge that stands in deliberate juxtaposition to the warmth and texture of the original red brickwork, creating a dynamic visual dialogue between old and new.
Despite its strong architectural presence, the addition is softened by lush, cascading vegetation that spills from planter boxes and climbing walls. This greenery helps to harmonize the modern structure with its natural surroundings, blurring the lines between the built environment and the landscape. It creates a living, breathing façade that evolves with the seasons and brings a sense of softness and life to the bold materiality.
At the heart of the extension lies a fully glazed stairwell, acting as both a vertical connector and a light well. This transparent volume serves as a central architectural feature, offering views through the home while inviting natural light deep into the floor plan. Exposed brick elements are carried into the new interior spaces, grounding the extension in the history and character of the original home, and creating a subtle yet meaningful continuity between past and present.
The outdoor areas have also been reimagined with a strong focus on lifestyle and family interaction. A terraced landscape incorporates a raised pool for summer enjoyment and a sunken fire pit for cooler evenings, encouraging year-round use. These outdoor features integrate seamlessly with the home’s interior, reinforcing a fluid transition between inside and out.
Ultimately, this project is a refined synthesis of form, materiality, and functionality—an environment that reflects both aesthetic ambition and practical living, tailored to support a contemporary family’s way of life.
Stage: Under Construction
Location: Melbourne’s East
