When architect Laura Hoare, owner of Laura Vivian Architecture, purchased her 1910s Edwardian house in Caulfield in 2017, the property was in poor condition but offered tremendous potential for her family. Despite the absence of heritage overlays or planning controls, Hoare felt a strong responsibility to preserve the home's character. "We felt strongly that the house, and the street, deserved our care and respect," says Laura. "It was the perfect opportunity to preserve what we could and make a meaningful contribution to the rhythm of the streetscape."
The architect and her family launched an ambitious renovation project, with the first stage focusing on restoring the original home to ensure its legacy for another century. Stage one introduced essential modern amenities including an en suite bathroom, hydronic heating, and air conditioning to the front bedrooms, while completely replacing the original timber weatherboards. The renovation also involved swapping single-glazed windows for hardwood timber double-glazed versions, carefully crafted by Whetstone Windows & Doors who meticulously replicated the original profiles.
The second stage of renovation transformed the home with a thoughtful extension designed around an existing magnolia tree that now serves as the centerpiece anchoring the house to its landscape. Previously hidden away in the back garden and completely disconnected from the living areas, the tree now provides multiple viewing angles throughout the home, creating dappled light, natural shade, and stunning visual appeal. "It's no longer just a backdrop – it feels like a living, breathing presence that shifts with the seasons," explains Laura. "The way light filters through its branches, casting changing shadows across the interiors throughout the day, brings a quiet rhythm and connection to nature that we all really love."
The new addition strategically steps away from the original axis of the house, positioning itself toward the southern boundary to maximize the benefits of northern exposure while maintaining the magnolia tree surrounded by an expansive back deck. The ground floor addition houses a new bathroom and cozy play room, followed by spacious open-plan kitchen, living and dining areas with soaring ceilings. The design incorporates practical yet durable materials including solid timber benchtops from Australian Sustainable Hardwoods, polished concrete floors, and exposed brick walls – all chosen specifically to withstand the demands of young family life and encourage Hoare's children and dogs to interact comfortably throughout the space.
"The last thing we wanted was to feel precious about how the kids use the house," she explains. Elevated joinery ledges strategically placed throughout the living areas capture beautiful natural sunlight throughout the day and have become favorite spots for the family to sit, play, or simply relax in the warm sun. The abundant natural light ensures that even during gray winter days, the living spaces maintain a sense of warmth and brightness that significantly contributes to the overall comfort and livability of the home.
The compact second-story addition contains only a home office and gym, carefully set back behind the original roofline to maintain respect for the neighborhood's established character. The entire renovation was thoughtfully designed with flexibility as a core principle, allowing the space to evolve and adapt alongside Laura's growing family. The result is a calming home base filled with small, deliberate design decisions that quietly support their daily routines both now and well into the future. "It's not showy, but it works hard, and that's something I'm really proud of," Laura concludes.
