Preston House 01 by Healy Ryan Architects: A Heritage Renovation Balancing History and Contemporary Living

A Sensitive Heritage Renovation in Inner Melbourne

Preston House 01 by Healy Ryan Architects is a thoughtful renovation and extension of a heritage-listed Californian Bungalow in the heart of Preston, a suburb in inner Melbourne. Designed for a young and growing family, the project reimagines the spatial potential of the original home while honoring its architectural heritage.

The architects responded to the brief with a strong focus on sustainability, heritage preservation, and material integrity. The retained and recycled bricks from the original lean-to not only provided environmental and economic benefits but also embedded a tangible continuity between the old and new.

Rear Extension: A Sculptural Approach with Brick

The new rear extension is defined by a series of 350mm-thick exposed brick walls, which establish a solid, grounding presence. These walls are not simply structural elements; they act as sculptural dividers, with doors, windows, and internal walls recessed between them. This careful articulation creates depth and layers within the architecture.

At the end of the original central hallway, two prominent brick walls mark a dramatic transition into the new extension. These openings guide visitors into the family’s main gathering spaces—kitchen, living, and dining areas, or toward a separate rumpus room. The axial layout concludes with a striking 3.3-meter-high pivoting glazed door, which opens directly to the rear garden, blurring the boundary between interior and exterior.

A Play of Volume, Light, and Warmth

The ceiling strategy follows the elemental rhythm of the architecture. Floating roof planes are separated from walls by clerestory glazing, drawing in natural light while accentuating the openness of the space. In contrast to the expansive 3.3m timber-lined ceilings in the living and dining areas, the kitchen and rumpus rooms adopt a more intimate scale with lower 2.6m ceilings—a deliberate choice that enhances comfort and spatial diversity.

At the junction where the old structure meets the new, the lower ceiling respectfully tucks beneath the existing exposed timber rafters, reinforcing the dialog between heritage and modern addition.

Materiality and Interior Atmosphere

The material palette of Preston House 01 is warm, tactile, and quietly sophisticated. The recycled bricks, now painted, maintain their textured character, while Blackbutt timber ceiling boards provide a natural warmth overhead. Polished concrete floors introduce durability and visual contrast without making the space feel cold.

Interior finishes were carefully selected to soften the minimalist architectural language. A dark timber veneer island bench anchors the kitchen, complemented by muted green cabinetry that runs along the rear wall. Over the dining table, elegant floating pendant lights enhance the domestic atmosphere, reinforcing the home’s role as a space for family connection and everyday rituals.

Sustainable and Contextual Design

Beyond its aesthetic and spatial qualities, Preston House 01 demonstrates a sensitive approach to sustainable architecture. The reuse of bricks, intelligent shading from the timber-lined eaves, and strategic window placements reflect a commitment to passive design strategies that reduce the home’s environmental impact.

Healy Ryan Architects have successfully navigated the challenges of a heritage renovation by crafting a contemporary home that celebrates history while embracing the future needs of a modern family.

All Photographs are works of Dan Preston