Lantern House by Timmins + Whyte
Inspired by the Japanese lantern, Melbourne-based architects Timmins + Whyte revamp a dark and outdated Victorian terrace with a new contemporary extension flooded with natural light.
Words: Georgie Ward | Photography: Peter Bennetts
The ink blots in the stone splash back resemble those used in psychology and are a nod to the careers of the clients who both work in the mental health field. Photo: Peter Bennetts
‘The neutral colour palette was used to create a sense of calm and feel like a day-spa, serene and meditative,’ says Sally Timmins. Photo: Peter Bennetts
The use of slatted materials resemble the Japanese lantern inspiration for the space. Photo: Peter Bennetts
Lantern House extension references a traditional Japanese lantern made of stone, wood or metal, called the ‘toro’. The 1800s Victorian terrace had the grand proportions of a house of the era, with dark and outdated interiors, desperate for a modern refurbish.
The new extension was placed at the back of the house and designed to create a generous, voluminous and open living space with views to the garden from every angle.
Timmins + Whyte created a glass-fronted expansive space with elevated height and windows that bathe the interior in dancing light utilising passive cooling techniques. The interior imitates a day-spa experience, evoking a sense of tranquility and serenity through thoughtfully selected neutral colours and natural materials. Encouraging relaxation, the extension area is light, quiet and cradled by lush greenery.
Slatted timber was used for the doors, windows and to line the kitchen ceiling adding a honey-coloured warmth to the space and to echo the Japanese lantern form. The polished concrete floor has exposed aggregate with flecks of tan, white, grey and pink that subtly bring together the colour palette of its interior elements.
‘A stand out feature is the natural stone seen on the kitchen splash-back and grand fireplace. It is a marble from Signorino called Ice Green,’ says Sally Timmins. The figuring is dynamic and resembles ink blots that are used in psychology and are a nod to the careers of the clients who both work in the mental health field.
The surrounding interior features are heavily textured however neutral in colour, allowing the stone to stand out as the eye-candy element of the space.
To function well for the family of four, Timmins + Whyte designed a void space with an internal balcony to allow for interaction between the boys bedrooms and the family living space. The extension opens its doors to the serene courtyard, creating airflow throughout the house in the summertime, as well as openable skylights that allow risen heat to escape.
The lantern-inspired extension brought a fresh contrast to the heavy, dark Victorian terrace, creating a sunlit, playful and open rear living space that feels like an oversized glass conservatory.
Stone feature details extend to the living space. Photo: Peter Bennetts
‘The void space allowed the ceilings to become palatial in proportion and feel generous in scale,’ says Sally Timmins. Photo: Peter Bennetts
“The amount of light and connection to the outside blurs the line between inside and out, creating a feeling of calmness”
The light filled interior with views out to the backyard. Photo: Peter Bennetts
‘The full height glass frames the old part of the house, a heavy, dark Victorian terrace,’ says Sally Timmins. Photo: Peter Bennetts
The interior features are heavily textured however neutral in colour. Photo: Peter Bennetts
‘The extension has been designed to play with light, it allows the space to bathe in it, it controls it, dances in it,’ says Sally Timmins. Photo: Peter Bennetts
The exterior of the Victoria terrace. Photo: Peter Bennetts
The lantern-inspired extension is a fresh contrast to the heavy, dark Victorian terrace. Photo: Peter Bennetts
