WORDS // ANNABELLE CLOROS PHOTOGRAPHY // JACK LOVEL
R
enovations rarely go to plan. No
matter how much planning or
forecasting you do, there’s always a
hiccup that will blow your deadline
out of the water by weeks or even months.
But one way of conquering this is with
prefabrication, which is exactly what this
couple chose to roll with.
After purchasing a double-fronted terrace
in Brunswick, Melbourne, the homeowners
wanted to renovate and repair the dilapidated
house in just 12 weeks. “When the clients
purchased the property, it was in a state of
disrepair and was unliveable,” says Jan Gyrn,
managing director of Modscape. “The clients
renovated the front four rooms themselves
and engaged Modscape to design and
construct an extension, which included a new
kitchen/living/dining space and a mezzanine
master suite.”
Time was defi nitely of the essence in this
project, which is why prefab was a smart
choice. While Modscape was constructing the
new extension in its factory, the landscaping
and pool work was completed on site, which
cut down the time the homeowners were out
of the house. “By constructing the extension
in our factory, we were able to reduce site
waste and environmental impact,” says
Jan. “The project utilised fully recyclable
structural insulated panels, which are
excellent for insulation and soundproofi ng.”
Inspired by the land and the contrast of old
and new, the clients wanted the diff erence
between the original property and the
extension to be very clear. “The corner block
called for a design that engages with the
streetscape from multiple viewpoints,” says
Jan. “How the extension reads in elevation
was very important to the clients and the
Modscape design team. A glass link corridor
helps defi ne the two architectural styles of the
existing and the new, and ensures plenty of
light enters the space.”DETAILS
HOUSE BRUNSWICK HOUSE
LOCATION BRUNSWICK, VICTORIA
DATE COMMENCED MAY 2016
DATE COMPLETED AUGUST 2016WE LOVE THE CONTRAST
BETWEEN OLD AND NEW
IS MOST STRIKING WHEN
VIEWED FROM THE STREETABOVE The garden is enjoyed
from the living room
OPPOSITE The inclusion of
a pool is a summer essential