Image of architect designed renovation in Kensington.

Jean’s Treehouse – Kensington Renovation

Location: Kensington, Victoria 3031

Council: City of Melbourne

Completed 2023

Material Palette

Internal: Blackbutt timber, emerald green Italian tiles, black fixtures and fittings.

External: Existing red bricks (maintained and re-used), existing weatherboards (patched and painted in Dulux Shale Grey), new vertical profiled sheet cladding painted in Dulux Monument.

Photography by: Matthew Oczkowski

Image of architect designed renovation in Kensington.
Image of architect designed renovation in Kensington.
Image of architect designed renovation in Kensington.

About

Described by the owner as a “small, tired, and leaky home” this project aimed to breathe new life into the neglected townhouse that was poorly built as part of the late ’90s mass development. Prioritizing sustainability, the renovation involved eliminating natural gas in favour of an all-electric home.

Collaborating closely with a builder certified in Passive House construction (NW Build), we ensured a seamless integration of aesthetics with a mindful approach to sustainability and energy efficiency. The addition of insulation, installation of double-glazed windows, and sealing the building envelope not only improved the home’s thermal performance but also ensured long-term sustainability, enhanced further with the addition of rooftop solar panels. Mitigating condensation was also a crucial consideration, and was achieved through the use of high-quality vapor-permeable building wraps and vapor-permeable spray foam insulation. Balancing these upgrades within a tight budget underscored our dedication to creating an efficient and economically viable home.

Click to see the Before Photos and how we made this home cheaper to operate by turning it All Electric.

From the Owner

“We employed Matt to reconceptualise our small, tired and leaky home. It was a full home renovation with a small extension and only the frame, most of the roof, brickwork and plaster remaining. Matt had terrific ideas for small spaces, sustainable design and function, and amazing aesthetics. We now feel like we live in a grand and luxurious home that is practical and efficient. I could not recommend Matt’s work more highly.” Jean

Image of architect designed home office renovation in Kensington.
Image of architect designed home office renovation in Kensington.
Image of architect designed home office renovation in Kensington.
Image of architect designed bathroom renovation in Kensington.
Image of architect designed bathroom renovation in Kensington.
Image of architect designed renovation in Kensington.
Image of architect designed kitchen renovation in Kensington.
Image of architect designed kitchen renovation in Kensington.
Image of architect designed kictchen renovation in Kensington.
Image of architect designed renovation in Kensington.
Image of architect designed renovation in Kensington.

Think we’ll be a good match?

Give me a call and let’s discuss your project.