Located along a heritage street in leafy inner suburban Melbourne, our design challenge for this refurbishment and extension was to create a striking contemporary addition that made the most of its compact site but had almost no impact on the existing heritage streetscape.
Original rooms within the home have been transformed into a private master suite, study and central bathroom/laundry area. Our approach focused on the addition of restrained contemporary elements within each space to preserve the historical building fabric.
The new contemporary double storey addition to the rear was composed to achieve a substantial setback from the street. It utilises a series of folding planes to order space, control light and views.
This articulation of the building facades also creates a lightweight and sculptural building form encapsulating light filled spaces and a ‘garden’ dining room with views to the outdoor terrace and garden beyond.
The exterior shot captures a two-way view of the house and its surrounding garden.The modern house is characterized by a brick wall and expansive glass windows.An exterior shot of a white house is featured, highlighting its elegant and sophisticated exterior design.In the daytime, an exterior shot of the modern-designed Armadale House is captured, highlighting the brick wall fence and the verdant grass garden.
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The exterior shot captures the outdoor area of the house, showcasing the brick wall and expansive glass windows.A photograph featuring a specific portion of the house’s outdoor area and highlighting the expansive glass doors of the residence.An image offering a glimpse of the dining area and the staircase located on the opposite side.
A photograph showcasing a sophisticated living room with two couches and a fireplace.An image that captures the interior design of the dining area that is enclosed by expansive glass wall panels.An interior shot showcasing a kitchen with a marble countertop located adjacent to a dining room table.This photograph presents an interior design depiction of the bathroom, highlighting the two-station basin sink and shower area.This is an interior photograph of a bathroom featuring a toilet, sink, and shower.This is an interior photograph that centers on a single basin sink and a mirror.A sketch plan of the Armadale House.
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Jon Dykstra
Jon practiced law before launching his online publishing career, bringing analytical rigor to everything he builds. Home Stratosphere combines that precision with a lifelong obsession with residential design — architecture, interiors, landscape, and furniture.
His current focus is AI-driven design analysis, using artificial intelligence to study patterns in color, layout, and material choice across thousands of homes. His Personality Type Home Design Guide applies personality frameworks to interior aesthetics, helping readers design spaces that reflect how they actually think and live.
His favorite piece on the site is the 25 Most Popular Designs, is a daily-updated ranking of the top designs over the last 30 days, driven entirely by visitor activity. The feedback is invaluable for understanding what resonates most with readers. LinkedIn