Windsor House
Located just off Chapel Street, Windsor House is set within one of Melbourne’s most vibrant inner-city neighbourhoods. Surrounded by trams, cafés and street life, the design needed to reflect both the energy of its surroundings and the quiet retreat of home. The brief was clear: retain the backyard, improve spatial efficiency, and create a stronger sense of openness—all within a modest footprint and budget. Rather than building outwards, we focused on rethinking the internal layout to unlock better functionality and flow.
Windsor House is a project grounded in thoughtful restraint—where light, volume, and smart planning come together to breathe new life into a heritage home. It’s a space designed to evolve with the people who live within it.
At the front of the home, original period features were carefully preserved and restored—bringing warmth, texture, and a sense of history. These rooms lead naturally into the contemporary addition, creating a subtle but deliberate contrast between old and new.
The rear extension transforms the feel of the house. Skylights and expansive glazing bring in morning light, while a reshaped cathedral ceiling exposes the original roof form—introducing volume, light, and a sense of calm spaciousness into the core living area.
A combined bathroom and laundry maximises functionality without compromising comfort. Reeded glass screens offer semi-privacy while allowing soft light to diffuse through the space. Ample storage is built in, and every detail was designed to feel both practical and calm.