Frame Of Reference

In bayside Melbourne, the transformation of a heritage property has provided a new home for not one, but two, art collections – and a dynamic, welcoming gathering space for family and friends.

- Stephen Crafti

Alan Synman, a founding director of SJB Architects, had a longstanding affection for the bayside Melbourne suburb where he had been living since 2008, having first bought property there back in 1968. His partner, Zorita Sormann, was more familiar with the city’s chic south-east. But when the couple decided to search for a new place together, Alan was quick to spot a listing just around the corner from his then-home, and realised its potential to create a happy abode to share.

“We were both looking for a larger plot, with a garden. It was really a matter of who found the most appropriate place first,” says Alan, who was drawn to the double-fronted Victorian-era house and the 500m2 land size. Another attractive feature was the planning permits it came with, worth their weight in gold in a heritage-listed area.

“After having renovated four other homes in the area, I’m fully aware of the delicate and intricate planning process, particularly in heritage areas,” says Alan.

While adept at dealing with renovations of this scale, Alan was officially retired from SJB and happy to hand over the core of the project to Foomann Architects and SJB Interiors, with Fido Projects appointed as builders. “I was still integral to the design process, as was Zorita.”