THE BALWYN HOUSE
In the Melbourne suburb of Balwyn, Robson Rak creates a sculptural extension that brings light and extra space into a brick 1930s home.
DYNAMIC FAMILY HOME
Project Type: Suburban Home
Location: Balwyn, Melbourne
Architect: Robson Rak
Photographer: Dave Kulesza
NEW & OLD
The new extension to the back of the house introduces a strong sculptural form, in deliberate contrast to the decorative aesthetic of the original house. Recycled bricks were used on both sides, creating a shared textural language between the two structures, but the rest of the three-level pavilion is clad in dark zinc, and an angled concrete awning creates a partly covered seating area for the pool and garden while allowing more natural light into the south-facing backyard.
STREAMLINED AESTHETIC
In the kitchen, materials like terrazzo flooring, steel and natural wood were chosen for their durability, which was important for a family of seven, without compromising on beauty. A streamlined aesthetic was created using appliances that integrated seamlessly, and ovens with a black finish and minimal detail, which allows them to visually recede.
