Hermon by WOWOWA
Fresh, nostalgic and delicious, Hermon by WOWOWA stitches together the old and the new to create an Australiana wonderland of texture, colour and materiality.
Words: Cardia Speziale I Photography: Martina Gemmola & Derek Swalwell
The playful (and colourful!) kitchen. Photo: Martina Gemmola. Styling: Ruth Welsby
Three shades of green enhance the rich red tones in the kitchen space. Photo: Martina Gemmola. Styling: Ruth Welsby
Photo: Martina Gemmola. Styling: Ruth Welsby
The open-plan lower living space. Photo: Martina Gemmola. Styling: Ruth Welsby
Hermon by WOWOWA is a home that wants to be lived in. Its playful colour palette and seductive combination of textures act as an invitation to call around some good company and settle in for the long haul.
Sited on Wurundjeri Country, the redesign alters a striking red brick federation home in Hawthorn. The brief was to manipulate a prior mock renovation, provide suitable, open living spaces and land a contemporary visual language as counterpoint to the decorative manor. In other words, the clients ‘wanted something very yummy,’ says Monique Woodward, director at WOWOWA.
A perfect balance of homage and embellishment, restraint and playfulness, the project required no additional footprint, only reshaping and amalgamation of the previously compartmentalised kitchen, living and dining areas. The heritage features of the home have been cleverly distorted and utilised throughout, with existing hallway arches and detailing playing out in moments such as the curves in the joinery and junctions that mediate the floor and ceiling changes.
‘It’s so surprising how whimsical and ornate these old houses actually are,’ says Monique, ‘when we translate that into new materials in the new house, I think there’s a tendency to go in a much more minimal direction, but we go the other way — we embrace the circles, geometry and textures.’
The kitchen is hard-working and split between the back of the house which runs through to the laundry and out into the backyard and clothesline, as well as being living room facing. Its island is multi-functional, with the lower concrete plinth providing a heat-safe counter across from the oven as well as a kneading bench designed to accommodate the exact height required for the homeowner and their son to embrace a favourite pastime of handmaking gnocchi. Speaking to the colours of the landscape, the kitchen really does exist as the heart of this home. ‘Your eyes are instantly drawn out to the windows and an incredible garden that’s voluptuous, rich, colourful and vibrant,’ says Monique.
At the centre of this project is joy. This comes through in the gestures that effortlessly evoke a sense of comfort and calm, while cleverly referencing the past; such as the corner flourish pushing out toward the pool and garden that is reminiscent of the heritage bay window in the original dining room, or the playful bathroom colours of lilac, blue and green which echo the original stained glass door. ‘As an architect it’s so important to get the big gestures right, but for us, the little moments are equally as important,’ Monique reflects.
Hermon by WOWOWA is a masterful example of combining classical and contemporary design to achieve an outcome that feels both fresh and nostalgic, simultaneously. ‘It’s really just a collection of old stories that might evoke memories,’ says Monique. ‘For us, storytelling and story listening is all just a part of what we do as architects.’
The bold and playful colours of lilac, blue, and green used in the bathroom add a vibrant touch of colour. Photo: Martina Gemmola. Styling: Ruth Welsby
‘For us, storytelling and story listening is all just a part of what we do as architects,’ says Monique Woodward. Photo: Martina Gemmola. Styling: Ruth Welsby
“As an architect it’s so important to get the big gestures right, but for us, the little moments are equally as important.”
Curves and architectural lines modernise the period home. Photo: Martina Gemmola. Styling: Ruth Welsby
The renovation features new garden spaces for the family. Photo: Derek Swalwell
The house is a perfect combination of traditional and modern elements, complete with swimming pool! Photo: Martina Gemmola. Styling: Ruth Welsby
WOWOWA has transformed the Hawthorn home into a playful space behind its impressive federation facade. Photo: Derek Swalwell