Grey Residence

Manna Scope | Build
Location | St Kilda, Melbourne
Completion | 2020

Architectural Design | Bellhaus Design Office
Photography | James Geer

After many years living abroad, our clients had relocated back to Melbourne and sought to transform their investment property into a appropriately decadent, retirement-worthy residence. Whilst the existing house was grand in scale and stature, the layout was disjointed and the house suffered from poor thermal performance and acoustics. Their brief called for an extensively upgraded home that celebrated its rich heritage as well as the clients’ personal style. From the outset, crafting a premium product was of paramount importance. However, this did preclude the savvy manipulation of the budget and significant savings were made by working within the existing building footprint. Existing materials including brickwork, the original mouldings and portions of the original Baltic pine flooring were salvaged and restored. Within the existing layout, the cramped kitchen has been dramatically transformed into a large and layered open space leading to a living area and an existing outdoor courtyard, accessed through custom, steel-framed glazed doors. The dining room and formal living, both featuring original fireplaces and decorative heritage accents, are elevated,  generous spaces well suited for entertaining. The master bedroom incorporates a luxurious ensuite and an intricately detailed walk-in robe and the delicately remodelled bedrooms and bathroom on the first floor serve as an intimate setting for guests. This project celebrates a passionate collaboration of like-minded souls with a shared vision.