Future CLASSIC

FOR THIS MELBOURNE FAMILY OF FIVE, SUSTAINABILITY WAS KEY TO RENOVATING THE PERFECT HOME

- BRITTANY SMITH

The heritage details in this inner-Melbourne home presented a double-edged sword for the homeowner and her family of five when she purchased the house with her husband in 2015. “There’s something beautiful about the facade of old period houses that’s hard to replicate,” says the homeowner.

Built in the 1880s, and one of the oldest structures in the suburb, the house was certainly filled with ornate charm and embellishments. But the floor plan was also stuck in centuries gone by, with dark and pokey rooms that didn’t flow. A lack of insulation also led to cold conditions and energy inefficiency.

“We knew we wanted to renovate in a sustainable way,” the homeowner explains. When she saw the work of Luke Middleton, director of EME Design, the dominoes fell in line. Dedicated to sustainability, Luke’s team are certified passive house designers, which means that each of their projects meet energy efficient and ecological building standards. For this home, the heritage facade was preserved while the rear was demolished and an extension built from scratch.

Open-plan kitchen, dining and living areas were created while the couple’s bedroom was moved upstairs with a bathroom and study to boot, creating a retreat for the adults. “We wanted a haven for my husband and I,” she says. “Somewhere that we could escape to but could have the chaos of having our kids’ friends around with space for them.”