Brighton East Residence sees Megowan Architects retain the existing charm of the era-specific home, a total internal re-plan, opening up its northern end to an expansive deck and lushly landscaped outdoor area. The extension and renovation works see high vaulted ceilings, mirroring the previous profile and creating an open living and gathering space. Undeniably, the hero is the reworked wood fireplace and hearth, where a gravitational pull encourages an audience. With an aim to convincingly blend the old and the new, and through opening up the internal planning and introducing dramatic skylights, natural light is brought deep into this transformed home.

From the Architect

A young married couple approached us for a complete overhaul of an Edwardian house in Brighton East. While the corner location and external charm of the house were intact, the existing interior layout was a labyrinth of purples and yellows that even a die-hard LA Laker fan would struggle to appreciate.

The existing bedrooms and lounge at the front were converted into three light filled bedrooms and two new bathrooms. At the rear of the property, the existing tile roof was retained and propped and all of the internal walls were removed. Altogether, a claustrophobic kitchen, sitting area, study and bathroom were removed to make way for a new spacious kitchen, living and dining area which opened up to the north of the property through the creation of a new four panel sliding door which opens onto an outdoor deck and garden.

A vaulted ceiling was created over the living area and a statement fireplace was created to align with the ridge of the vaulted ceiling. Behind the kitchen, a new study, butler’s pantry, powder room and laundry were added to link the existing garage with the rest of the house.

Several statement skylights were skillfully positioned in the bathroom, kitchen and laundry to both bring light deep into the spaces and create drama filled moments of delight. Highly detailed joinery with brick and concrete details throughout create an interior that is both contemporary but timeless with traditional elements like shaker panels, grooved boards, architraves and cornices all incorporated to help successfully and convincingly blend old and new. Volumes in the living area, bedrooms and bathrooms were blocked out with soft greys set in stark contrast to white wall and black tiles to help create interest, personality, hierarchy, and zones within larger open spaces.

Post tender, the concrete hearth under the fireplace in the living room was “threatened” by value management. Understanding how much the client valued that particular feature of the design, we, Capabuild (builder) and the client all put in some unpaid weekend overtime forming it up, pouring it and jimmying it into place. The bricks behind the cast iron Cheminees Philippe fireplace were salvaged from the internal demolition, cleaned and reused as a functional heat sink/shield and feature wall.