Wonderfully serene interiors in Prahan

This home in the inner Melbourne suburb of Prahan began life as a single level Victorian house. Originally compartmentalised with lots of rooms, the new design by Studio Four involved a strategic replanning of the ground floor, the addition of a new first floor, along with the flexibility to adapt each space to suit the ever changing dynamics of family life.

A stronger connection was forged between the interiors and the exterior courtyards through a serious of concealed sliding doors, which increased light, fresh air and aspect. The rear courtyard is connected to the kitchen and was designed for outdoor dining while an interior courtyard provides a green backdrop and extended the feeling of space in the living room. In the words of the designers, “Arriving at the house, it is difficult to gain more than a glimpse of the first floor addition through the surrounding urban streetscape. The upper volume is consciously set back from the ornate Victorian chimney, while the fully glazed facade provides a reflective backdrop and contrasts the period roof detailing adjacent. This design strategy allowed the first floor spaces to be exposed to varying levels of interaction with the landscape, both immediate from the tree tops of the birches from the courtyards below, to the expansive cityscape views beyond, whilst maintaining a level of visual privacy from the adjacent apartments.”

A wonderfully serene palette of white with pale timber works beautifully to show off the family’s collection of art, books and objects.

[Photography by Shannon McGrath]