Located within a leafy heritage street, this project extends a stately Victorian residence to create a generous and enduring family home. The single-storey addition sits discreetly to the north of the site, nestled amongst established gardens and framed by mature trees.

Designed for a young family of six, the new addition provides a robust yet finely detailed setting for everyday life. The retained front rooms accommodate bedrooms and a children’s retreat, while the new wing houses the main living spaces, family bathroom, and service areas. A gentle stair from the central corridor marks the threshold between old and new — the shift in level, raked ceiling, and skylight above bringing light and height to the heart of the home.

Within the addition, a 3-metre ceiling height and expansive north-facing glazing invite daylight deep into the plan. Full-height windows open the living area to the garden, while a double brick wall runs north–south to define spaces within the open-plan interior and extend outward to form a sheltered terrace. This semi-enclosed outdoor room sits comfortably within the overall building form, offering a protected space for family gatherings throughout the seasons.

The architecture adopts a restrained language of horizontal banding and robust materials that quietly balance the heritage proportions of the original house. A neutral but richly textured palette ties old and new together — large-format tiles run seamlessly from kitchen to terrace, while soft carpet underfoot in the living area brings warmth and comfort.

Carefully proportioned and thoughtfully detailed, the Hawthorn East Residence provides a calm and enduring framework for family life — one that feels deeply connected to its garden setting and the rhythm of the existing home.