Moloney Architects have completed an extension in the Victorian city Ballarat. Mill Street House is cade from delicate steel and expansive glass, the light and bright extension feels like a precious jewel hung on the original heritage home…
Original Home
Located near Lake Wendouree — just one hour from Melbourne this clever design grafts a modern extension to a heritage protected Victorian house. The original consists of four large rooms with high ceilings, ornate cornices, and fireplaces.
New North Facing Extension
A poorly designed 1990s kitchen extension was demolished to make way for an open plan kitchen/living/dining space opening up the north side of the building and creating a connection to the rear yard.
Simple Palette
The new extension transforms the house with a simple palette of steel, glass, and concrete. To help preserve the existing house’s sense of scale the new areas have the same high ceilings, however the new works sharp detailing sits in contrast with the soft lines of the original.
Home Gallery
The wall spaces of the extension were designed to be a neutral backdrop for the clients' art collection. A recessed art hanging system was incorporated during the plastering stage to allow freedom in the placement of artworks and adaptability in the curation of the space.
Weight of Concrete
An off-form concrete wall provides thermal mass, as well as visual relief to the walls of glass. The rough handmade concrete surface provides texture and warmth against the white walls and polished concrete floors.
Delicate Steel and Glass
The concrete contrasts with thin steel window and door frames. The delicate steelwork gives the new extension a sense of openness and provides the interior spaces with an abundance of natural light. The simple unadorned interior is off-set by a visually active wall of glass. The large 'Golden Rain' tree becomes the most prominent visual element of the design, and changes the interior colour scheme with the change of the seasons.
Sustainability
Mill Street House project is serious about sustainability:
- FirstRate - 7 Star Residential Energy Rating
- Water reuse system for toilet flushing and laundry
- Insulated slab with Baxi high-efficiency hydronic heating
- R.6 Earthwool insulation to ceiling
- R.2.5 Earthwool insulation to walls
- Energy efficient LED lighting fixtures
- Passive ventilation with insect screens
- Natural shading - winter sun and summer shade provided by a large deciduous tree
