- Project: Preston House 01
- Architect: Healy Ryan Architects
- Location: Australia, Preston
- Year: 2021
- Area: 183 m2
- Photography: Dan Preston
Honoring Heritage While Embracing the Future
Preston House 01 by Healy Ryan Architects is a thoughtful balance of heritage respect and contemporary innovation. Located in inner Melbourne, the project involved renovating a heritage-listed Californian Bungalow while extending the rear to create a modern home for a young family.
The design pays homage to the property’s history, notably through the reuse of demolished bricks from the original lean-to. This approach not only reduced waste but also ensured that the new extension inherited the character and memory of the old structure.
Brickwork as Architectural Language
The extension’s defining feature is a series of 350 mm-thick exposed brick walls. These heavy, tactile elements are softened by carefully recessed windows, glazed doors, and openings that slot between them. Upon entering the extension, the original hallway opens dramatically into this new brick-lined space, offering both continuity and contrast.
Two prominent walls mark the threshold between old and new. Beyond them, a 3.3-meter-high pivot door floods the kitchen, dining, and living spaces with natural light, creating a seamless transition to the garden. Timber-lined eaves above mirror the hallway’s continuation, shading the glazed façade and ensuring comfort throughout the year.
Dynamic Roof and Ceiling Design
The roof structure enhances the extension’s layered experience. Floating roof forms are visually separated from walls by highlight windows, washing interiors with daylight.
Inside, spatial variation defines the atmosphere. Lower ceilings of 2.6 meters in the kitchen and rumpus create intimacy, while the living and dining spaces expand to a soaring 3.3 meters. This careful modulation generates both contrast and dynamism, reinforcing the sense of moving through a home that evolves with its functions.
Materials and Atmosphere
To balance the solidity of the exposed brick, the architects introduced Blackbutt timber ceilings, warm-toned concrete floors, and soft interior finishes. The recycled bricks, painted to highlight their texture, add subtle character without overwhelming the space.
Interior details enrich the architecture:
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Floating pendant lights create intimacy over the dining area.
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Dark timber veneer and muted green cabinetry soften the kitchen’s contemporary edge.
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The concrete floor grounds the spaces, ensuring durability and warmth for family life.
The result is a home that feels both robust and inviting—a calm yet expressive environment tailored for a growing family.
A Model for Adaptive Heritage Design
With Preston House 01, Healy Ryan Architects demonstrate how heritage preservation and modern living can harmoniously coexist. By weaving together recycled materials, tactile surfaces, and light-filled interiors, the project transforms a dated bungalow into a sustainable, family-friendly home that continues the story of its past while embracing the future.
