Grid House, Victoria

In the picturesque streets of Malvern East, an original Edwardian weatherboard home stands elegantly with its picket fence and ornate woodwork. The vignette of a heritage home, with a sky-blue door that hints at the rejuvenation within.

Studio Doherty, in collaboration with building designer Ari Alexander, completed a dynamic refurbishment to accommodate the evolving needs of a young family. With the challenge of expanding on the existing site, the only solution was to go up - adding two bedrooms, an extra bathroom and rumpus space.

The home’s namesake, the grid, is an underlying motif that intersects the design. Vertical timber batters and V-groove panelling create an interplay of light and form. While the bold, yet sophisticated, colour palette of petrol blues and muted greys creates a strong cohesion throughout. This palette acts as both visual feast, and spatial delineator, leading occupants through the new and old realms of the home.

Grid House playfully explores the concept of ornamentation, channelling Edwardian opulence through a contemporary lens. Coloured furnishings, textiles and artwork create a harmonious counterpoint to the architecture’s defined lines, radiating joy and enriching the home’s distinct personality.

The interior exudes a sense of tranquillity and brightness. Through strategic window placements and the introduction of tall ceilings, natural light floods every corner of the home. The openness of the space is accentuated by the selection of Havwoods Blanco 13 European Oak timber flooring, a platinum-coloured timber from the Havwoods Venture Plank collection. The cool tones blend beautifully with the terrazzo flooring, both complementing the colourful décor.

Grid house is the embodiment of balance - where heritage and modernity converge to deliver a functional living space for a growing, young family.