TOORAK HOUSE

TOORAK | RENOVATION | CONSTRUCTION 2024

Designed by W&R Butler and Marcus Martin, and framed by an Edna Walling garden, the house was previously occupied by the same family for over a century. We collaborated with Watts Studio and landscape designer Kate Seddon to sensitively restore and rework this family home and garden for contemporary living.

Positioned on a large irregular-shaped site (1,200 square meters) fanning out from the street - including a disused grass tennis court along one side - the project comprised an overhaul of the existing layout and the creation of a new living wing that responds to the way it’s new owners live, whilst creating a dialogue with the heritage, inter-war house.

The original dwelling came with good-bones and a number of significant trees, including a heritage-listed Ginkgo tree near the front entrance with it’s striking autumnal foliage. Many of these trees could only be partially appreciated from the house, with axial lines cut off by rooms and corridors. The program therefore includes opening up the spaces of the existing house, many of which feature new steel and glass doors to create unimpeded sight lines. What was the original house is now the formal living area, along with a billiard room, office and seperate library - with many of the decorative plaster ceiling reinstated along with traditional wainscotting popular in this period.

The design strategy for the additions was to develop a contemporary wing that creates a diagloue with the original home’s character. Constructed in painted render with a brick base, the new wing, comprising the open plan kitchen, dining and living areas, features materials such as stucco walls and timber lined ceilings - referencing the existing materiality. A new garage wing includes a rumpus room and guest suite at basement level, complete with a sunken courtyard garden connected to the other garden spaces. Whilst the house has been significantly increased in size and scale a sense of intimacy has been created in the spaces, welcoming family and friends to come together.

Interior Design: Watts Studio