George Street House is the extension and renovation of VDM Architects’ directors Steven and Francesca’s former home.

Occupying a narrow pocket of land, this inner-urban edge Victorian villa originally featured a constricted internal layout with a tight courtyard to the rear.

The goal of the renovation was to bring a sensation of spaciousness and tranquillity into the home by maximising daylight, increasing the height of the internal areas, and creating a connection to the outdoors that would offer a quiet retreat within the bustling neighbourhood context.

The entire kitchen, dining and living areas were opened up through the removal of internal divisions and pushing out the building envelope. The ceiling was raised to increase the volume, and strategic utilisation of attic space above a new bathroom allowed for an entirely new area to be created at first floor level. Accessed by new stairs, this level features a light-filled yet cosy guest bedroom with a generous study area.

The kitchen zone was relocated back against the contemporary new bathroom which enabled a new butler’s pantry to be discretely located under the new stairs. From the living area, large sliding glass doors opened to the rear garden which underwent a major transformation from a tight concrete courtyard into a spacious yet private green oasis.

Passive design features include all new double glazing, fully insulated external walls and roof, and openable clerestory and skylight windows for stack-effect ventilation.

The front façade of the house was restored and revitalised with a neutral but fresh new colour scheme respectful of its Victorian heritage, while the rear extension was clad in charcoal-painted timber panelling with vertical grooves to create a clear contrast between old and new.