Victoria Gardens House by The Building & Construction Company

ArchiPro Project Summary - A contemporary renovation and extension of an 1880s Victorian house, seamlessly integrating with Victoria Gardens through innovative design and natural materials, completed in 2017 by Lucy Clemenger Architects.

Title:: Victoria Gardens House
Construction:: The Building & Construction Company
Category:: Residential/; Renovations and Extensions
Completed:: 2017
Price range:: $1m - $2m
Building style:: Contemporary
Client:: Lucy Clemenger
Photographers:: Shannon McGrath

The Victoria Gardens house is a renovation and extension to a doubled fronted 1880s Victorian house sited adjacent to Victoria Gardens, a heritage park in the heart of Prahran.
The design of the extension utilises the Japanese concept of ‘shakkei’ or borrowed scenery, the principle of incorporating the landscape into a composition, to dissolve the boundaries between the park and site.

A glazed open plan living space visually embraces the park to the east, connecting seamlessly to a stepped courtyard garden that leads into the park. On the first floor bedrooms are cocooned in a floating timber clad form designed to frame views of the park landscape and provide privacy to the sleeping quarters.

The timber façade wraps around the perimeter of the building peeling open for windows, capturing views towards the park, the surrounding neighbourhood, and back towards the city.

Central to the space planning is the creation of distinct zones allowing for multi-generational living, with the ability to section off areas of the house for heating, cooling, work, and play. A multi-functional timber joinery unit is central to the experience of the house and acts as a threshold between the original heritage house and the extension. It contains the everyday workings of the home, including a walk-in pantry, powder room, wine cellar, and laundry.

The natural and restrained material palette selected reflects the materiality of the park. Cool greys, warm caramels and deep greens mimic the textures and colours found in the foliage and branches of the significant plane trees. Oak joinery, polished concrete, mirrored stainless steel and sage green curtains provide a backdrop to the omnipresent park. Local artisans and craftsmen were engaged to build custom designed timber furniture and joinery throughout.

Published:
EST Living, May 2022
Dwell, May 2021
The Local Project, Dec 2020
Habitus Living, Oct 2019
Lunchbox Architect, Sep 2019
Vogue Living, June 2017

Consultants:
Architecture + Interior Design: Lucy Clemenger Architects
Garden: Fiona Brockhoff Design

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DOMESTIC CONSTRUCTION

ARCHITECTURAL BUILDS

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DOMESTIC CONSTRUCTION

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The Building & Construction Company

Construction

Gruyere, Melbourne, Victoria

buildingandconstructioncompany.com.au

The Building & Construction Company. By your side every step of the way. Our company was established in 2015 by Luke Cotton, a Melbourne-based carpenter by trade and a registered builder. His life partner Monique, our executive director with ambition and drive bigger than Ben Hur, joined the venture as the business grew strength-to-strength. Luke and Monique’s mission is to create a people-first business where people are valued and respected no matter their role in the project journey. They are passionate about making an impact on the construction industry and setting the benchmark for operational efficiencies and client experience. Their relentless focus on their growth journey and company culture meant that our business is now supported by repeat and referral clients, a strong network of suppliers and contractors and a dedicated team of talented individuals. Both Luke and Monique have a strong presence as representatives of the industry, with Luke as a fully-registered Domestic Builder through VBA and Monique as a Board Director and a Housing Sector Chair Person of the Master Builders Association of Victoria.