A renovation that marries in with the history of the existing building
The name Ussher & Kemp is well known in Melbourne’s heritage circles. This home, located in Camberwell and heritage-listed carries some of the practice’s hallmarks: timber-strapped gables, return verandahs and stucco walls. While this distinctive early 20th century house benefited from a north-facing rear garden, it came with a 1970s addition that was well beyond its use-by date.
Detail. Contemporary. Charm.
One of the challenges with this renovation was the house was to marry the past with the present while creating a comfortable home for a family. While the new wing in the Canterbury residence appears original, everything is new from the terracotta tiled roof to the period-style detailing. What is also new, which isn’t easy to detect, is the black-stained link connecting the girls’ and boys’ bedrooms on the first floor, with the new exterior stucco walls and timber strapping. A new timber pergola also forms part of this renovation and the contemporary wing is slightly skewed from the original house to create that new work.
Not wanting the new addition to jar, period embellishments from Ussher & Kemp have been used to inspire the new detailing. For Peter Barton Architects, which also lightly touched the period home, there’s a sense of continuity not just in style, but in provenance, knowing that future owners will still be able to enjoy the home’s period charm. For the architects, it’s always important to create the right balance, scale and finish, the latter using artisans and craftsmen who have honed their skills over decades.
