Makeover

Melbourne artist’s new renovation full of statement black

September 21, 2021

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Named after the structure that joins the home’s heritage front and modern extension, Colonnade House is the latest creation by the talented team at Melbourne architectural studio Splinter Society. Located in Malvern, the large family home features a gorgeous, black-painted heritage abode at the front with a striking, minimalist extension at the rear.

Black timber makes a statement from the street

“Where the heritage building was lightweight in nature, containing closed, disconnected rooms and was badly sited resulting in a cramped feel, the extension was to be modern, robust, made from concrete and well connected to its garden surrounds,” says Splinter Society’s Asha Nicholas.

A dining room forms part of the home’s new extension

In contrast to the original home and its rich, heritage details, the new structure is brimming with masses of contemporary finishes – refined steel, timber, render, and tiles combine to create a moody mix. And in contrast to the smaller, more defined rooms found at the front of the home, the rear extension is a much more open-plan affair.

Ensuite — Gorgeous green Kit Kat tiles provide texture in the ensuite

“Where the old house contains intersecting gabled rooflines, the new mimics these with minimal geometric roof forms and lofty ceilings. Where the old contained decorative timber windows, newly created steel windows abstract their detail linking from old to new,” says Asha.

Home to an artist and art-loving family, the beautifully textured spaces form a backdrop to a constantly changing selection of paintings and sculptures. The home’s sumptuous materials palette providing further relief – there’s beautiful hand brushed timbers, plasters, concrete and ceramic tiles to name but a few features.

Gorgeous furniture and sculptures punctuate the home — Gorgeous furniture and sculptures pepper the home

The project’s namesake, a concrete colonnade runs centrally through the new extension and connects the old home to the garden. “This functional device filters and screens light between living spaces and the northern pool and garden. Between the columns sits a collection of intimate, sunny, garden-connected window daybeds and pedestals to house sculptures,” says Asha.