Oberon
Hawthorn East is characterised by Victorian cottages and terraces that define a consistent suburban typology across the area.
Oberon House retains the existing cottage while introducing a contemporary rear addition, responding to heritage constraints and the characteristics of a narrow inner-urban site.
The original building has been reconfigured over time through a series of incremental additions, resulting in fragmented and poorly lit internal spaces with limited connection to the garden.
The new intervention establishes a compact and efficient plan, prioritising a sequence of generous living spaces over maximised room count. The ground floor accommodates kitchen, dining and living functions within a continuous spatial arrangement, while the upper level is dedicated to a singular master suite.
Joinery elements are integrated as spatial devices, organising the interior and providing layered storage, display and separation within the plan.
The upper level operates as a continuous spatial volume, with softened boundaries between bedroom, bathroom and library zones, and a central void connecting both levels of the house.
Daylight is introduced through a combination of large sliding openings to the north and south, and a continuous skylight above the kitchen that delineates the transition between existing and new construction.
Project details
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Reimagining the cottage
Hawthorn East is characterised by a consistent fabric of Victorian-era cottages and terraces that define the broader suburban typology. While these dwellings retain a strong streetscape presence, many have been adapted over time and no longer align with contemporary patterns of domestic living.
Playing with planning
With a single occupant, the plan allows for reduced hierarchies of privacy between spaces. The upper level operates as a continuous volume, with softened boundaries between bedroom, bathroom and library functions. A central void connects the upper level with the living spaces below, reinforcing vertical continuity through the house.
Exploring Façade Options
We explored a number of rear façade options with our client. We wanted to strike the balance between privacy and an open, connection to outdoor entertaining spaces...
