From the street, this early Victorian terrace in inner Melbourne gives little away. Step inside, though, and it quickly becomes clear that this is a home that has been carefully reworked for modern family life. Designed by architectural firm Bryant Alsop, the renovation opens up the once compartmentalized ground floor, adds new living and study spaces, and introduces a playful loft, all while keeping key details from the original house firmly in place.
Stepping inside, the home immediately reveals its layered history. Original elements such as the front door, decorative trim, stair detailing and archways remain intact. These features anchor the renovation in its Victorian past and provide a clear contrast to the cleaner lines and tonal palette introduced through the update.
From the front hallway, sightlines now stretch through to the kitchen. A built-in open bookshelf has been inserted into the wall, acting as both a visual link and a subtle divider. It allows light to pass through while offering storage and display space, turning what was once a transitional area into a feature moment within the home.
The kitchen leans confidently into a darker palette. Matte black cabinetry is paired with dark countertops, creating a striking contrast against crisp white walls. The result is modern and restrained, with the cabinetry doing much of the visual work while maintaining a sense of calm and order.
Adjacent to the kitchen, a new dining area sits comfortably within the open plan layout. A round dining table anchors the space, positioned beneath a large grey and white pendant light that draws the eye upward. It is a simple arrangement that defines the dining zone without interrupting the flow of the room.
Folding glass doors connect the kitchen and dining area directly to a timber courtyard, extending daily living outdoors. Beyond this, a new 12 square metre timber addition introduces warmth and texture, sitting in deliberate contrast to the original brick terrace. The timber structure is clearly identifiable as a contemporary intervention while still respecting the home’s Victorian heritage.
The new timber addition includes a dedicated study space, responding to the growing need for flexible work areas at home. Above, a playful loft has been designed as a kids sleepover zone. This split level solution wraps around the courtyard and makes use of every available inch, providing what effectively becomes a fourth bedroom and children’s space without expanding the building footprint unnecessarily.
One of the updated bedrooms sits on the main floor. Finished in soft grey paint with white trim, the room is pared back and calming. Modern furnishings complement the neutral palette, creating a space that feels restful while still connected to the home’s contemporary updates.
In one of the bathrooms, a rounded rectangular mirror hangs above a black and white vanity, echoing the home’s restrained color palette. A window brings in natural light, softening the contrast and enhancing the sense of space within the room.
By opening up the plan, using cabinetry as a functional design tool, and adding a timber extension and loft, Bryant Alsop has transformed the home into a layered, flexible space.
Photography by Jack Lovel | Design: Bryant Alsop | Structural Engineer: Meyer
