Eye to THE SKY

Like the phoenix rising from the ashes, this dated Victorian terrace has transformed into a stylish abode with an impressive roofline

- CARROL BAKER

This striking Victorian heritage terrace offers charm, innovation and plenty of style. Before the renovation, the existing home was dated, it had a double-storey heritage façade and at the rear, the single-storey kitchen felt enclosed by double-storey neighbouring homes.

Ben Callery from Ben Callery Architects says the name Rise House was a visual representation of the renovation's ultimate purpose. "It was borne from the new addition rising out of this cavernous context," he says. Now it stands proudly, a beautiful two-storey home with a striking roofline.

The homeowners also wanted a new rear addition that interacted with the environment, and offered light-filled open spaces. The crisp white walls create a feeling of spaciousness, as light and shadow bounce around the room. The warmth of timber in the floors and cabinetry adds another layer of texture. Ben says the ceilings of the twisted rooves are lining boards that are painted white. "The lines in these ceilings accentuate their twisted form," he comments.