Glenmorgan House

The Glenmorgan project transformed a once dark and introspective Californian Bungalow into a bright, open, and inviting home. The original weatherboard house, located on a charming leafy street in Melbourne’s inner north, had a heritage facade worth preserving. However, the interior was compartmentalised, with singular-use rooms that felt closed off and lacked natural light, a challenge compounded by the home's south-facing orientation.

It was important to our client that the floorplan allowed for flexibility in arrangement, and that the finished house was on a single level to minimise costs. We focused on using cost-effective materials and construction methods, and after navigating the Heritage Planning process with Moreland Council, we created a home that meets the of a wide cross section of occupants, including families, down-sizers, single people and couples.

We completely gutted the original house, retaining the footprint of the front two bedrooms while reconfiguring the living room, kitchen, and bathroom. The rear lean-to extension was demolished to make way for the new addition. The original section underwent an elegant transformation, preserving the classic lead lights of the bay window while incorporating refreshing contemporary touches in the master bedroom, ensuite, walk-in robe, plus two additional bedrooms, and a second bathroom. The new addition features a north-facing living area, an expansive open-plan kitchen/dining/living space with high raked ceilings, a butler’s pantry, a new laundry, and a versatile second living space that can serve as an additional bedroom or large study.

The greatest challenge of this project was the south-facing block, which limited natural light to the interior living spaces. We overcame this through clever spatial planning, adopting a courtyard house typology allowing us to reorient the living areas to the north. By extending the property along the rear boundary and incorporating a central courtyard, we achieved a northern aspect that fills the home with light. This approach not only maximises sunlight but also creates a central garden courtyard and deck, which enhances the flow of light and air throughout the entire home and provides inviting outdoor spaces that are accessible from both the original house and the new extension.

A central feature of the design is the light-filled ‘breezeway’ that seamlessly connects old and new in the house, flooding the home with natural light, views, and greenery. The openable, full height glazed ‘walls’ of the breezeway ensure that precious light and scenic views permeate every corner of the home, enveloping the living area in precious northern light and captivating courtyard garden views.
In the north-facing living area, the cathedral ceilings, exposed beams, and high-level glazing in the draw the eye upwards, offering views of the beautiful Plane trees lining the street. The overall design result is a home filled with light and a sense of volume, with inviting garden views from nearly every room. This project is a thoughtful response to both cost and heritage considerations, breathing new life into a once tired and dark house, and creating a generous, light-filled haven.