House Of Fortune By Dean Dyson Architects
House of Fortune by Dean Dyson Architects pays homage to Collingwood’s industrial roots—where architecture becomes a medium for storytelling, layering the past with the present.
Words HANDE RENSHAW Photos TATJANA PLITT Styling MAXIMALIST INTERIORS Build CAVALLI BUILDERS. Landscape Design MOORILLA STUDIO LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
The inclusion of vintage furnishing within the spaces allows for seamless transition between the old and the new.
The interiors carefully navigate the balance between the historical and the contemporary.
‘The decision to incorporate darker finishes in the kitchen and bathroom was intentional and rooted in our desire to honour the house's history rather than overlook it,’ says Dean Dyson.
A once-shadowed past gives way to a luminous present, expressed through rich oak herringbone floors, textured rusted steel cabinetry, and dramatic storm-toned marble benchtops.
Strategically placed windows maximise natural light and cross-ventilation for year-round comfort.
“Foresight was a crucial element in the project’s success—we wanted to weave both sustainability and adaptability into a rich tapestry of design layers.”
House of Fortune is a sensitive transformation of a heritage dwelling—designed to foster connection and a stronger sense of belonging to both family and history.
The design balances communal and private spaces to foster both togetherness and personal downtime.
Rooted in its context, the design thoughtfully responds to the suburb’s strong industrial history, while respectfully preserving the Victorian terrace facade.
‘To make this space visible to those passing by on the street is to rekindle the connection between neighbours and the local community.’
With the compact footprint, every space has been thoughtfully designed for dual functionality wherever possible.
Preserving design integrity allows the interiors to walk the line between past and present—never leaning too far into history or modernity.
Darker finishes in the kitchen and bathroom were carefully chosen to reflect and respect the home's original character.
Tucked within the historically rich streets of Collingwood, House of Fortune by Dean Dyson Architects stands as a poetic ode to memory, place and modern living.
A thoughtful restoration of a Victorian terrace, the home is a considered balance of heritage preservation, modern adaptability and emotional storytelling—rooted deeply in the spirit of Collingwood’s industrial past and its once-vibrant neighbourhood.
When the clients first stepped into Dean Dyson’s studio, they didn’t just bring a brief—they brought a story. Shared recollections of growing up in Collingwood, tales of neighbourly exchanges, and echoes of social connection formed the foundation for a design that would become both personal and community-minded. These memories served as a guiding thread for Dean and his team, shaping the home to honour its past, while actively inviting it into the present.
‘The former garage turned street-access-entertainment-area has always stood out to me,’ says Dean. ‘It’s a demonstration of the social powers of thoughtful architecture.’ Positioned at the front of the home and revealed through a perforated steel screen—a subtle nod to Collingwood’s manufacturing legacy—the feature reinvents the garage as an open-air space that encourages curiosity and community engagement. It’s a place to gather, connect, and pass the time—a modern-day front porch.
Throughout the home, materiality plays a quiet but powerful role. Rich oak herringbone floors meet tactile rusted steel cabinetry and stormy marble benches. In the kitchen and bathroom, darker finishes were intentionally selected to honour the home’s history. ‘The house had a rather dark past,’ Dean says, ‘so we reinterpreted that darkness with refinement—letting natural light flow while staying grounded in the original character.’
Adaptability was another key driver. The three-bedroom, two-bathroom home includes a versatile entry parlour, entertainment bar, hidden mud room and laundry, and an internal courtyard—all designed to support the evolving needs of a family.
‘We wanted to weave both sustainability and adaptability into a rich tapestry of design layers,’ says Dean. Passive solar design, cross ventilation, and durable, repairable materials speak to a commitment that goes beyond aesthetics, ensuring longevity in both form and function.
What elevates House of Fortune is not just its finely executed details or sustainable framework—but the emotional resonance it carries. Designed during COVID, the project not only provided meaningful work for local trades and creatives, but became a symbol of resilience and reconnection. ‘It was a collaborative journey,’ Dean reflects. ‘A life-changing outcome that all parties felt deeply connected to.’
House of Fortune is a living archive of place, memory and transformation—a modern sanctuary that listens to the past while embracing the present.