Latest from Alexander & Co.

"Rawson House is the transformation of an existing 1900's semi-detached cottage in Sydney. The project is a sophisticated and contemporary exploration into materiality and spatial organisation, enhancing the experience of day-to-day living through elegant subtleties."

Rawson House is fabulous renovation and extension of an older style house by an award winning architectural and interior design firm Alexander & Co. It's light, bright and modern with clean lines and that all important connection to the outdoors.

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Stalking a church conversion

We are huge church conversion fans here on Desire to Inspire and this once derelict country chapel is one of my favourites. The former Catholic church was deconsecrated in 1993 and quickly fell into disrepair with the roof eventually collapsing and the remaining stone walls looking to quickly follow. Purchased by a local builder, the church has been lovingly restored with a sympathetic extension referencing it's form and simplicity. There are even remnants of the original hand-painted friezes. Yes I know that the purists among you will say that it's cheating when the new build is substantially larger than the conversion but I love how the tiny chapel has not been tampered with in an attempt to squeeze more in. Located in Yandoit in country Victoria, it is a short drive from the spa town of Daylesford. And, dear readers, it's for sale. I wish I had the just under $1 million needed to purchase it and a reason to move to so far away. Link here while it lasts.

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Brunswick House by Preston Lane

"Key to the clients’ brief for Brunswick House was to provide better connections between the indoor and outdoor spaces and optimize the use of natural light throughout the house. Soft light bounces off the water of the new lap pool onto the ceiling intermingled with gentle shadows from the trees in the adjacent property on the western boundary. The crisp lines of the fine steel window frames and perforated mesh box overhead provide a contemporary addition to the original double storey Victorian terrace which intentionally contrast the original period features."

Brunswick House by Melbourne-based architectural firm Preston Lane rounds out a week that had more than it's fair share of extensions and renovations to older homes in Australia. It may sound like bragging but I really believe that Australian architects are masters of the addition. It's not just about extra space but about light, transition between inside and out, modern, often open plan living and a distinction between old and new, of due respect and reference to the original but also a celebration of the best of contemporary design.

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Out the back

It's what Australian architects seem to do so well. The extension, the addition to an old house that opens the living areas up and out. House facades and streetscapes are maintained while out the back clever two storey additions fulfil family needs for modern living. Love the monochromatic palette of this home warmed by the rich wood accents. Contemporary, clean lined, sleek and stylish (although I'm a little worried that, at least here in Australia, the Flos Lighting Aim Lamps are in danger of going the way of Tom Dixon's Beat Lights and become ubiquitous). Elwood House by Melbourne-based Architecture and Interior Design practice Therefore Studio.

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New and old and Technè

Australian design is shining at the moment. Like a beacon for modern living, honest, crafted, all about light and connection with the outdoors, the interactions between people and living space, respect for the old and exultation of the new. Fitzroy House, a renovation and extension to an inner-city Melbourne historic home by Technè Architecture + Interior Design.

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