adam kane architects converts derelict cottage into minimalist home in australia

adam kane architects has renovated and extended a run-down cottage in victoria’s coastal barwon heads, australia, transforming it into a contemporary, minimalist house for a young couple. on the outside, the entire existing cottage façade and roof have been painted a striking deep black color that stands out against the textured foliage of the surrounding landscape. inside, a double-height, american oak-lined raked ceiling tops the home’s main space, complemented by burnished concrete floors, hand-scratched solid plaster walls and pops of black. all images by timothy kaye

in ‘barwon heads house’, adam kane architects has rejuvenated the derelict, heritage cottage to serve as a home that embodies the relaxed, coastal lifestyle of the area. ‘the transformation needed to allow for entertaining and to maintain a strong connection between inside and outside, old and new,’ notes the australian architecture studio. the renovated interior maintains heritage features through use of the original (and now restored) lining board ceilings, as well as period skirting and architraves. these are combined with contemporary architectural elements, a muted color palette and textural, natural materials that compose a lightweight, relaxing atmosphere.

the existing home is connected to the extension via a glazed link which offers glimpses to the garden from either side, establishing a graceful connection between old and new. access to the extension is via an enclosed corridor, lined with black mottled joinery panels on walls and ceilings that conceal doorways into the rumpus, laundry, and storage areas. the master bedroom mezzanine is situated above this dark corridor, which creates a sense of compression before a sense of release when walking towards the living room.

a feeling of release is experienced as one enters the main space, where a double-height, american oak-lined raked ceiling completely opens the room. the studio ‘deliberately played on the sense of space using compression and release, to create a unique and unexpected experience as you move through the home,’ as director adam kane says. ‘the timber lining/ cladding also helped us blur the threshold between inside and out, delineating zones, making spaces feel more generous, and contributing to the relaxed feel of the home.’

slabs of silver travertine and burnished concrete floors complement the desaturated timber ceilings and joinery, along with hand-scratched solid plaster walls, in a soft, warm ‘bone’ colour. linen sheer curtains softly balance the space, creating comfort and a sense of welcoming. ‘it was essential we incorporated the relaxed coastal lifestyle of barwon heads to this home, and we’ve done that through understanding the original space whilst giving it new life in the renovation,’ adam kane architects adds.

lined in travertine, a large island bench takes center stage in the main room, transforming seamlessly from kitchen bench into the dining table, through a discrete floor level change within the kitchen area. the back-bench joinery extends into the living area, connecting the two spaces together. the mezzanine bedroom overlooks the living space below, wrapped in the same black cladding as the corridor beneath.

project info:

name: barwon heads house

architect: adam kane architects

location: barwon heads, victoria, australia

construction: technique construction group