Art Deco House

Project size 141 m2 (105 m2 existing house + 36 m2 new addition)
Site area 349 m2
Completion date 2024
Building levels 1
Budget 600,000 AUD

Project team
Architecture and Interiors: Sheri Haby Architects
Structural engineer: Cathy Poon, STRUCTed
Building surveyor: Red Textas
Energy consultant: Blue Lotus Energy Rating
Builder: Conrad Howard
Cabinet maker: Interstyle Kitchens
Photographer: Lisbeth Grosmann

Description
Art Deco House is a charming interwar brick and stucco house in the inner Melbourne suburb of Caulfield North. Originally featuring two small bedrooms, a cramped bathroom, a tight kitchen, and a dilapidated outdoor laundry, the property was in desperate need of renovation. The design brief aimed to transform the home by adding a third bedroom, upgrading the bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry, and incorporating a new, light-filled living addition at the rear to better connect with the backyard. This addition would also create a second living space, perfect for growing children and parents working from home.

To respect the original Art Deco style, the new wet areas incorporate timeless design elements, such as black and white tiling, green-painted cabinetry, and brass accents. At the rear, the new kitchen-dining area boasts soaring 3 metre ceilings and is oriented to capture the abundant north-facing natural light, filling the space with warmth and brightness. Stretched along the south boundary, views from inside look to the rear garden, creating a seamless connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces.

Sustainability
The design prioritises sustainability. The new addition is kept very small, while the existing house is retained intact, minimising waste. Internal spaces look to the outside, vistas that pulls your eye out, a deliberate strategy to make the spaces feel larger.

The roof, walls, and floors of the new addition are highly insulated, significantly improving energy efficiency, while the installation of ceiling batts and blown-in wall insulation in the existing house enhances its overall performance. The polished concrete floor in the new kitchen-dining area acts as a thermal mass, offering comfort during both hot summer days and cool winter nights. Cross-ventilation has been carefully integrated into the design to ensure that mechanical ventilation is rarely necessary.

New windows feature hardwood timber frames with low-E clear double glazing, further enhancing the home's energy efficiency. The entire house is illuminated by low-energy LED lighting. The new heating, cooling, and hot water systems are powered by heat pumps, allowing the home to completely eliminate its reliance on gas, underscoring a commitment to a sustainable, energy-efficient lifestyle.

Materials
The house is located at the end of a quiet street, surrounded by a mix of bungalows and low-rise apartments. The presentation to the street was lacking, with a tall, solid fence obscuring the handsome façade and blocking views from inside to the street. A new picket fence was constructed to provide a small amount of transparency to the garden behind.

The materials selected were chosen to strike a balance between practical and beautiful. The original roof was reroofed in terracotta tile Marseille Tan Bark, a natural clay with a hint of glossy brown. White stucco contrasts with the red brick and black metalwork of the front porch.

Inside, key Art Deco features - such as the ceilings and fireplace - were thoughtfully preserved, maintaining the home’s period charm. The client sourced some beautiful Art Deco glazed doors from a local recycler, which were expertly incorporated into the hallway and ensuite, adding a unique and timeless touch to the interior.

What were the solutions to the brief?
The true success of Art Deco house is the light and improved liveability. This is a relatively small house that feels big, spaces flow into each other and to the outside. The design honours the original Art Deco architecture, incorporating a neutral material palette with accents of deep green and brass, creating a harmonious blend of old and new.

New cabinetry throughout provides much needed storage, with attic storage further maximising organisation. Plywood cabinetry, finished with a hardwax oil, adds warmth to the interior, while predominantly white surfaces enhance the feeling of spaciousness. Glossy white wall tiles add a touch of sparkle, complementing the clean aesthetic.

The polished concrete floor slab acts as highly desirable thermal mass, absorbing warmth from direct sunlight and releasing it in the cooler evenings. The new timber pergola is designed to exclude summer sun while permitting winter light. As a result, mechanical heating and cooling are seldom necessary, further enhancing the home’s energy efficiency and comfort.

- Sheri, architect

Client Q&A

What issues were you facing before you renovated their home?

We had bought a modest house in a great location but it was old, cold and lacking space and storage to accommodate our growing family. The kitchen, laundry and bathroom were in poor condition, feeling both outdated and unpleasant.

What had worked fine when it was just the two of us quickly became inadequate with the arrival of our child. The lack of space made it impossible to keep tidy. We felt cramped, frustrated and messy.

What is life like in the new home?

The redesign has made incredibly effective use of the space, delivering value far beyond the actual floor area added. We absolutely love the new bathrooms and kitchen; they’ve transformed the home. The design strikes a beautiful balance between honouring the Art Deco roots of the house while incorporating a modern touch.

Everything now has its place, and we’re so much more organised. We really enjoy just sitting around in the new space. It’s made such a difference in how we live.

- Lee, client