Victoria
Armadale House is a renovation to a gracious free-standing 2-storey Victorian house, located within a conservation area. Already a large house, the brief was about ‘tuning’ it to occupation, light and landscape. The interventions are targeted and strategic, contained largely within the existing footprint. Alterations and additions are used as the opportunity to re-order the ‘parti’; the plan and section to create a cohesive, beautiful setting for domestic life.
The design works with the existing. Extraordinary qualities of the original house are its thick walls, high skirtings and soaring ceiling heights. The section became the departure point for new architecture, unlocking the poor connection between the historic front and newer back, shaping light, and adding to the play of volume. Relationship with nature is fundamental, established gardens are curated to create a diversity of plants and spaces, editing neighbours, and helping the garden to work in unison with the architecture.
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.
Ben Dixon, Graduate of Architecture
David Coleborne, Project Lead
Rachel Neeson, Design Director
Stephen Neille, Design Director
Fiona Brockhoff Design, Landscape Consultant
Metro Building Surveying, Building Surveyor
SDA Structures Pty Ltd, Engineer
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
