A Flourishing Garden Grows Inside This Glass-Roofed Melbourne Victorian
Austin Maynard Architects turns a typical Melbourne terrace house into a light-filled home with a bright-green heart.
Melbourne’s terrace homes are stunning examples of residential architecture, but they often suffer from one major problem—a lack of natural light. When the owners of a dark and cramped Victorian in the suburb of Carlton sought to dramatically improve their home on a tight budget, they turned to Austin Maynard Architects.
The Newry House is situated among a row of terrace homes in Melbourne, Australia. From the street front, the home’s original character remains intact.
Photo by Tess Kelly
The firm left the front and rear of the Newry House largely untouched while reconfiguring the dark and poorly laid out midsection through a "keyhole surgery." The result is an open kitchen, dining, and living area that brings garden greenery inside.
What was once a small dining area has been opened up into a bright kitchen, living, and dining space.
Photo by Tess Kelly
Get the Renovations Newsletter
From warehouse conversions to rehabbed midcentury gems, to expert advice and budget breakdowns, the renovation newsletter serves up the inspiration you need to tackle your next project.
A garden is integrated into a green bench seat, optimizing space in the dining area while drawing the outdoors in.
Photo by Tess Kelly
As stated by the architects, "In a space that is already tight, the question was, why take away indoor space to capture outdoor space? Instead, we focused on the conservatory idea—a glass house which brings the outdoors inside, with responsive sliding shade awnings to shield from too much sun."
The existing dining room ceiling and a leafy roof deck outside the main bedroom were demolished. In their place, a large pitched glass roof with sliding awnings was installed, completely transforming this once dark and cramped terrace home.
Photo by Tess Kelly
Responsive sliding shade awnings shield the interior from too much sun. In seconds, the shades can be remotely closed to provide almost 100% protection from UV rays.
Photo by Tess Kelly
Thanks to the introduction of a glass roof, the main living spaces are now filled with an abundance of natural light and plantings that are directly integrated with the interiors. The subdued color palette of white and warm wood tones is accented by bold pops of color that create surprising moments of delight.
What was once a closed-off kitchen has been transformed into an efficient cooking and dining space complete with simple wood cabinets, sleek fixtures, and black accents. A mirrored backsplash reflects light, making this open space feel even larger.
Photo by Tess Kelly
The home’s modest finish palette is accented with pops of color. The deep burgundy carpet in the entrance hallway is mirrored by the sofa in the living room and accented by rich blue side chairs.
Photo by Tess Kelly
In addition to opening up the space, the firm replaced the old timber floor with a thermally efficient, hydronically heated concrete slab. Simple building skin modifications, such as refitting the doors and windows, have taken this early ’90s home from breezy and cold to thermally sound.
Shop the Look
Gubi Semi Pendant
The Gubi lighting Semi Pendant is both a funnel and a vortex, channeling strong down light from its flared shade. Designed in 1968 by Bonderup and Thorup, the Semi is a functional light based on geometric principles; the silhouette emerged by placing two quarter circles inversely together. The original shape is spun from aluminum then heavily lacquered or polished for pristine reflective light. Photo Courtesy of YLighting
ShopBloomscape Kimberly Queen Fern
Graceful and timeless, this pet-friendly fern adds a touch of the tropics to any space. With sword-shaped fronds that multiply over time, the Kimberly Queen Fern is incredibly easy to care for.
ShopFernweh Woodworking Walnut Dining Table
A beautiful minimalist option for your kitchen or dining room. Made out of solid Walnut, this table will keep your space feeling light and open, with legs slightly turned outward and the support structure on the bottom maintaining a light feel. All my products are handmade (by me) in my central Oregon shop, and I really enjoy communicating personally with my customers... please send me a message or give me a call with any questions or customizations! Photo courtesy of Fernweh Woodworking
ShopTo maximize functionality in the compact space, the staircase, kitchen, and storage area were all combined into one unit. Simple wood joinery conceals integrated storage below the wood stair treads and the perforated steel screen.
Photo by Tess Kelly
At the top of the perforated steel staircase is a surprising pop of color. A vivid green section marks the point where the metal railing meets the colorful carpeting. The bold green tone is a nod to the garden and bench seat below.
Photo by Tess Kelly
A flexible loft space at the top of the stairs doubles as a sleeping area when the curtain is closed, and a playroom for the kids. Skylights and punched window openings allow natural light to filter into these upper-level living spaces
Photo by Tess Kelly
Throughout the project, the architects followed an ideology of design better, not bigger. Through a relatively simple intervention, this small family home has been dramatically transformed into a warm and bright dwelling complete with its own private garden.
The Newry House is all about playful moments of discovery and delight for this growing family.
Photo by Tess Kelly
A Tesla battery ensures the home performs well—and allows it to pump excess green energy back into the grid.
Photo by Tess Kelly
More from Austin Maynard Architects:
Austin Maynard Architects Turn a Terrace House Into a Light-Filled Home
An Architect Turns His Victorian Home Into a Sun-Drenched Live/Work Space
A Circular Beach House in Australia Embraces Coastal Living
This Playful Melbourne Home Sports a Roof Like a Mountain Range
Project Credits:
Architect of Record: Austin Maynard Architects / @austinmaynardarchitects
Builder / General Contractor: Moon Building Group
Structural Engineer: OPS
Energy Consultant: Efficient Energy Choices
Published
Last Updated