Silver House Restoration, & Contemporary Design.

Silver House is a semi-detached white brick home that has been carefully reimagined through a considered architectural extension and interior refurbishment that balances memory, materiality and craftsmanship. The original dwelling, modest in scale and robust in construction, provided a grounding foundation for a contemporary addition - one that respectfully contrasts whilst remaining materially connected. The extension introduces a refined palette of narrow-format brickwork paired with corrugated iron roofing - a subtle reference to our client’s upbringing on a farm in central Victoria. Whilst this rural vernacular isn’t replicated directly, the material language aims to reference these familiar elements into a more contemporary expression. The slim brick profile creates texture and rhythm whist the corrugated iron brings a quiet utilitarian honesty and robustness. To provide relief, timber-framed doors and brushed nickel fixings are bookended by these materials, connecting the exterior to the interior and establishing a dialogue between urban context and rural memory.

Internally, the design process began not with the architecture, but with the client’s remarkable collection of artwork and mid-century Danish furniture. These items became the conceptual starting point and foundation for the interiors, shaping spatial planning, proportion and the overall atmosphere of each space – even prior to the selection of materiality. Rather than treating the furniture and artwork as an afterthought, each room was conceived as a setting in which the pieces could be properly appreciated. House of Finn Juhl’s ‘Silver Table’ and ‘Sheepskin Pelican Chair’ alongside other design classics such as Fabricius & Kastholm’s ‘FK87 Grasshopper Chair’ and Arne Jacobsen ‘Swan Sofa’ are just some of the beautiful pieces showcased. These furniture heirlooms are further complimented by the introduction of more contemporary furniture and decorative lighting, all of which are purposely sourced from Australian designers and makers.