French Ave House strikes the perfect balance between heritage and contemporary style. The restoration of the original facade preserves the ever diminishing heritage housing stock in Melbourne’s inner suburbs, making way for insensitive modern developments. Going beyond the strict heritage planning requirements, every aspect of the original frontage was restored, revealing the original features long lost to decades of neglect.

Glimpses of the modern rear extension are visible from the streetscape. The natural timber clad form beyond the heritage frontage serves as a modern, enduring piece of architecture that is light filled, generous, and highly considered in design and detail.

At 161m2, the layout makes effective use of every available space. There exists a rationale to the spaces and their relationships, both internally and externally, with no compromises to function, adaptability or aesthetic. A re-aligned central axis draws views and light through the house while acting as the central circulation spine. Through the modern hallway arch threshold the voluminous, light filled rear extension draws the eye upwards to the high sloping ceiling and highlight windows. Strong external connections and views to green spaces creates a sense that we are not in a dense inner urban environment.

As in all of our projects, environmentally sustainable design principles exist throughout. Natural cross flow ventilation and stack ventilation allow each space to receive fresh air without mechanical assistance. Passive heating and cooling resulting from orientation, glazing and shading elements. Thermal insulation is maximised in floor, wall and ceiling zones. 

Check out the French Ave house journey

Please get in touch with us if you would like to know more about this project. 

contactus@studiocreo.com.au