Main image of the architect designed renovation in Kensington. The image shows the new dining room overlooking the leaves of the tree outside.

Jean’s Treehouse – Renovation in Kensington

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 shows the new wine storage and couch in the renovation.
Light filters through the house plant in the dining room of architect designed renovation in Kensington.
Image of the new bench seat located in the dining room.

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 in Kensington 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 new architect designed study as part of the renovation works.
Image of new bathroom as part of the renovation in Kensington.
Image of new bathroom as part of the 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 new kitchen as part of the renovation in Kensington.
Image of architect designed renovation in Kensington.
Image of architect designed renovation in Kensington.

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PROJECTS PAGE

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SERVICES PAGE

Learn about the services I provide and the process. Includes information on planning permits, building permits & architects fees.

SUSTAINABILITY

Read about my thoughts on sustainable architecture and how I think we should instead be building better.