This striking, light-filled Victorian heritage Rise-House offers charm, innovation and plenty of style. Before the renovation, the existing home was dated, it had a double-storey heritage façade and at the rear, the single-storey kitchen felt enclosed by double-storey neighbouring homes.
Ben Callery from Ben Callery Architects says the name Rise House was a visual representation of the renovation’s ultimate purpose. “It was borne from the new addition rising out of this cavernous context,” he says. Now it stands proudly, a beautiful two-storey home with a striking roofline.
Letting the Light In
The homeowners also wanted a new rear addition that interacted with the environment, and offered light-filled open spaces. The crisp white walls create a feeling of spaciousness, as light and shadow bounce around the room. The warmth of timber in the floors and cabinetry adds another layer of texture. Ben says the ceilings of the twisted rooves are lining boards that are painted white. “The lines in these ceilings accentuate their twisted form,” he comments.
Expanding the Footprint
Some of the other works carried out included structural and thermal upgrades. Additionally, open-plan living, meals, and kitchen areas were built on the ground floor, along with the addition of a bathroom and laundry. On the first floor, a new master bedroom with a walk-in robe and ensuite was included. Furthermore, there is now access to a roof deck that boasts stunning views of the skyline over North Carlton.
Light as a Design Strategy
A design challenge for this project was being able to access natural light. Ben says a two-storey brick wall on the north side overshadowed the property. “Current planning regulations also required our new addition not to overshadow our southern neighbours,” he adds.
Taking a conundrum and turning it into an opportunity is where good design comes to the fore. “We twisted the rooves so that they rake downwards on their south-eastern side, resulting in their dramatic twisting form,” says Ben. Now the rooms of the Rise House are light-filled and expansive, without blocking neighbours. “The new storey addition rises above this context with raking rooves that lift up to the north to bring warming sun down into the living rooms below,” he says.
Sustainable Solutions and Smart Craftsmanship
Eco-friendly measures were incorporated within the design, which was also geared to reduce the need for additional heating in winter. As there are large expanses of glass, external blinds were fitted to keep the home cool in summer.
The captivating light is one of Ben’s favourite aspects of the project. “My favourite part is the uplifting sense you get when walking from the old dark part of the house into the light, bright living rooms with its raking ceiling rising up to the north and drawing your eyes up,” he says. The unique roofline is a showstopper. “From the street, hidden behind the heritage façade, you wouldn’t even know this is there. But from the back lane you can see these rooves that seem to float,” says Ben.
He is also quick to acknowledge the design team, especially the builder who rose to the challenge. “We worked with Clancy Constructions who were not daunted by the massive undertaking of having to renovate the old heritage façade and then add the new form at the back,” says Ben. The roofing contractor was also eager to tackle a project that was complex. Ben admits they were conscious this wouldn’t be an easy roof to manufacture and install. “But the roof contractor said he finds most rooves boring and loved working on this one.
