Oak
Oak is a sensitive and considered renovation of a brick heritage dwelling in Hawthorn, designed to preserve and enhance its historic charm while introducing modern functionality. With a focus on minimal structural intervention, the project demonstrates how thoughtful design can breathe new life into an existing home while keeping costs under control. Rather than making extensive changes, the approach prioritises subtle refinements that improve usability, comfort, and connection to the surrounding environment.
Location
Wurundjeri Country, Melbourne
Builder
RMB Builders
Photography
Completed
2024
Jack Lovel
A minor yet striking extension to the master bedroom suite introduces a contemporary element without overwhelming the original architecture. Clad in slender aluminium battens, this addition presents a refined contrast to the home’s solid brick construction. Its shimmering, almost ephemeral presence allows it to recede into the garden setting while remaining a durable and purposeful intervention. This balance between permanence and lightness ensures the extension feels both integrated and distinct, complementing rather than competing with the heritage structure.
Inside, the design respects the original proportions and materiality while introducing contemporary finishes that elevate the interior atmosphere. A carefully curated palette of colours and textures works in harmony with the home’s heritage details, enriching the existing character rather than erasing it. Clever joinery additions, including bespoke window seats, enhance functionality while maintaining the integrity of the original spaces. These thoughtful interventions improve natural light, create moments of retreat, and subtly reconfigure the home to better suit modern living needs.
Oak celebrates restraint in design—where minimal structural change, paired with thoughtful material and spatial enhancements, transforms a historic home without compromising its legacy.
