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

Tasked with increasing the footprint of this 1930s house in Melbourne’s leafy suburb of Balwyn and injecting natural light into its previously dark spaces, Robson Rak transformed a heritage-protected building with little impact on its original charm, to create a dynamic home that elevates the everyday while catering to the needs of a large family.

designer kitchen with marble surfaces overlooking mix of Integrated & Minimal appliances

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.

Close up of the kitchen focusing on the minimal ovens and cooktop

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.