Every successful renovation tells a story of balance between heritage and contemporary living. The Ascot Vale House in Melbourne is a clear example: a 1940s Art Deco residence that has been carefully renewed with a thoughtful extension of brick, timber and glass. Rather than relying on the common box-style rear addition, this project embraces a linear, east‑facing extension that opens to gardens and courtyards, improving light and flow while maintaining the original street façade.
The extension was designed by Taylor Knights to complement the original house rather than compete with it. Dark brick anchors the new volume, allowing the addition to blend sympathetically with the heritage fabric while offering a clearly contemporary contrast through generous glazing and timber accents. The result is a sequence of indoor and outdoor spaces that feel connected to the garden landscape and to one another, bringing daylight deep into the historic core of the house.
Inside, the plan is open and generous. A corner window seat, crafted in warm timber, creates a cozy nook that frames garden views and extends the living area visually into the outdoors. Sliding glass doors open the kitchen and dining zone onto paved courtyards and planted pockets, encouraging seamless indoor-outdoor living that suits Melbourne’s temperate climate and contemporary urban lifestyles.
The interior palette remains restrained and contemporary: whites and soft grays paired with natural timber tones create a calm backdrop for daily life. Skylights and large windows introduce ample natural light, and thoughtfully positioned openings draw sun into the heart of the home. Original architectural details have been conserved and celebrated where possible—the fireplace and some hardwood elements were preserved and integrated into the updated layout—so the house retains its character while offering a refreshed, modern experience.
Details throughout the house emphasize material honesty and subtle craftsmanship. Exposed brick, hardwood floors and timber joinery form a cohesive material language that links new and old. The design uses period motifs and delicate detailing as inspiration for contemporary finishes, ensuring the modern pieces sit comfortably alongside original elements of the 1940s home.
Other interior highlights include a distinctive blue stairway illuminated by a well-placed light well, a minimal contemporary bathroom that relies on soft, considered lighting, and a variety of planted courtyards that frame views from multiple rooms. Together these elements enhance daily living while respecting the home’s original identity.
This renovation demonstrates how a sensitive, site-driven extension can provide contemporary functionality without erasing a home’s historic character. By choosing complementary materials, careful detailing and a strong connection to landscape, the Ascot Vale House now offers a renewed, light-filled interior and a respectful continuation of its Art Deco legacy. Photography by Derek Swalwell documents the transformation and highlights the thoughtful dialogue between old and new.
“With a shared love of exposed brick and natural materials, together with the client we explored a way to embrace and enhance the original intricate brick detailing and hardwood throughout the new additions, staying true to the home’s heritage while providing a modern renewal. The subtle detailing and period accents formed inspiration for the palette and motifs for the project overall.”
