LSH Residence

Albert Park, Melbourne
2016 — 2019

Tucked away from the Bridport Street shopping precinct, LSH Residence comprises the reinvigoration of a Victorian-era wedge-shaped shophouse, as well as the replacement of a tired 1970s extension with a contemporary and sensitive addition.

The original shophouse had numerous modifications over the years. Although small in footprint, the building contained 3 separate entries to the street and was riddled with dark and disjointed rooms. The principal strategy entailed the reinvigoration of the plan, including a study, bedrooms and bathrooms, around a central sky-lit stairwell in order to bring light into the depth of the home.

Beyond the shophouse, the new addition required a simpler internal program. A generous living and meals area looks onto an intimate landscaped courtyard on the ground floor.

Around the corner from the open plan area, the sunken reading nook accompanies a reflective pond, offering a chance for respite and quiet contemplation. An expansive master suite is located on the floor above.

The contemporary addition’s external expression takes cues from the existing shophouse’s architecture. Collectively, the single-hung windows, bluestone plinth and string course inform a new façade of deep reveals and crisp shadow lines. The site’s orientation enables the contemporary addition to face northeast, framing views out over the courtyard to the established trees of the streetscape beyond.

The surrounding neighbourhood inspired the project’s richly nuanced material palette. The honesty of the rendered shop-house elevation is paired with the contemporary addition’s off-white natural cement render.

Internally, the rendered walls complement an off-form concrete ceiling and raw metalwork. Feature stonework, stack bond oak parquetry flooring and natural oak veneer panels provide warmth and finer grain detail, linking the home’s heritage rooms with the contemporary spaces.

Area
400sqm

Family size
2

3D Visualisations by Enceladus Studio