Northcote House by Melanie Beynon Architecture & Design
Melanie Beynon Architecture & Design thoughtfully draws on natural materials for the home’s timber-lined addition.
Words: Hande Renshaw | Photography: Tom Blachford
The Tasmanian oak-lined dining space features No. B9 Le Corbusier dining chairs in black by Thonet and Tripod Table by Mark Tuckey. Photo - Tom Blachford.
“We especially wanted to maximise interior volume and natural light,” says Melanie Beynon of the new addition. Photo - Tom Blachford.
Melanie Beynon Architecture & Design has brought its definitive approach to an extension and renovation of a family of six’s old Edwardian home.
For the owners of Northcote House, who managed and built the project, high on their priority list was having an emotional reaction to the design.
“We aimed to intertwine our architectural concepts with the clients’ poetic vision on their new venture as owner-builder,” explains Melanie Beynon of Melanie Beynon Architecture & Design.
The new addition features large volumes of space, which are cleverly balanced with warm textures. This starts with interior detailing such as the unfinished Tasmanian oak panelling hand-laid by the owner and extends to the exterior with raw cedar shingles and shiplap cladding, designed to silver and age with the natural surroundings.
Says Melanie: “Timber is a key material throughout the home, used as a construction material, a threshold between existing and new, and a crafted design feature from local wood workers.”
The central living space unites the home’s palette of reclaimed brick, Tasmanian oak shiplap timber panels and blackbutt timber floors. The kitchen combines this use of brick and timber, revealing the skilful hand of custom joiners, alongside a handmade tiled splashback. Outside, the natural materials extend to western red cedar/Tasmanian oak shiplap shingles that clad the rear extension.
A mid-century-inspired custom bookcase in the living space and artwork by Emily Ferretti. Photo - Tom Blachford.
Photo - Tom Blachford.
The piano room featuring a Snoopy table lamp by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos and artwork by Doris Bush Nungarrayi. Photo - Tom Blachford.
The kitchen space features custom timber joinery by West Wood joiners, a brass tap from Brodware, and Anchor Ceramics splashback tiles. Photo - Tom Blachford.
“The owner aimed to source maximum repurposed building materials, equipment and fixtures, to help lighten the environmental load of the build.”
“Our studio’s focus on interior and exterior architecture allowed us to thoughtfully consider structural and mechanical input to align with our design.”
Photo - Tom Blachford.
Photo - Tom Blachford.
The bathroom featuring terrazzo flooring and simple white tiles. Photo - Tom Blachford.
Photo - Tom Blachford.
Melanie Beynon: “Timber is a key material throughout the home, used as a construction material, a threshold between existing and new, and a crafted design feature from local wood workers.” Photo - Tom Blachford.
Photo - Tom Blachford.