‘Ennis Lea’ was built in 1896 and had significant works done over the following century. The owners of Hawthorn Grove have enjoyed 25 years in the house prior to engaging Bryant Alsop. With their children grown and the house to themselves, they looked to renovate and create a new home that they will enjoy with grandchildren in the years ahead. A 1980s addition was removed, the Victorian house restored and a new 2-storey addition added on a tight triangular site.

The project sought to increase amenity and accommodation, improve natural light and outlook, and to create connection to garden spaces. It was important that the new built sit comfortably and sympathetically alongside the original Victorian building while retaining a contemporary character. It was apparent from early on that the design needed to capitalise on the beautiful green landscape on adjoining parkland and use ‘borrowed’ landscape to enhance the garden setting.

The aesthetic applied to the original home is more austere and reserved - gum grey is used externally to sit within local parkland foliage, and garden areas were enhanced and extended with the removal of a pool. Two further courtyards connect to informal living spaces at the rear.

The new 2-stroey addition is more playful and fun and responds both to the gabled roof forms of the original house, with shingled cladding picking up the native colours of surrounding vegetation. Three ‘attic’ style bedrooms on the upper level, look into treetops and nestle neatly behind the principal Victorian rooflines.

Internally colour is used to work with the owner’s significant art collection. A deep green kitchen boldly sits centrally in plan, and speaks to a rich Blackbutt floor. Yellow bathrooms, and deep blue walls offer bursts of colour across the house. It is a house not to be taken too seriously but reflects its owners and a life of collected objects and art.

Bryant Alsop worked closely with COS Design on the Landscape and Prue Gordon on the interiors to create a wholistic and complete project. Mil Construction delivered the project to a high standard. Our clients’ sentiments echo our own satisfaction with the project; “Bryant Alsop provided a stunning design for our extensive renovation. The contemporary design met all our needs and desires for flair, attention to detail and tasteful choice of colours and fittings. The whole architectural process was seamless and the Bryant Alsop team was exceptional in meeting time lines in an efficient and friendly manner”.