victorian home in australia crowned with modern 'tiara house'

fmd architects revives an 1800s-era house in melbourne

In the heart of Melbourne‘s inner north suburbs, FMD Architects‘ Tiara House stands proudly as a spirited addition to a late 1800s Victorian terrace. This double-story dwelling overlooks the historic parklands of Edinburgh Gardens, inspiring a sustainable approach to its new extension. With a focus on amenity and livability, Tiara House responds to its surroundings and combines ornamental qualities with contemporary design elements.

A floating veil of timber battens envelops the upper level of the extension, its sweeping and tiered form inspired by Edinburgh Gardens’ historic rotunda and the home’s own decorative character. This tiara-like facade adds a touch of ornament to the otherwise blank Victorian rear facades typical of the era.

images © Dianna Snape | @diannasnape

modernizing the ornamental victorian spirit

FMD Architects embraces the ornamental spirit of the Victorian home, translating it through a contemporary lens with the facade of its Tiara House extension. The architects chose a neutral palette that enhances the original iron lacework, corbels, and decorative plasterwork. As visitors step inside, they are greeted by a wide arched hallway leading to a formal front room and an original timber stair. Sensitively preserved and bathed in shades of blue, these spaces evoke a renewed sense of mood and occasion. Additionally, a second bedroom has been transformed into a shared bathroom adorned with curved forms, inky blue tiling, speckled terrazzo, luminous granite, and reeded glass.

the light-filled ‘tiara house’ addition

The lofty and light-filled addition now graces the site of Tiara House, taking shape with warm interiors curated by the team at FMD Architects. The spaces incorporate fluted timber linings, white rendered brick, and bespoke concrete aggregate floors. Despite the challenging southern orientation, FMD Architects have skillfully integrated connections to the surrounding landscape from every angle. Layered gradients of natural light seep into the home, creating an inviting atmosphere.

Upstairs, the tiara screen serves as a backdrop for a landscaped deck, accessible from the main bedroom and protected by a curved plate steel awning. Visual privacy is ensured by a timber-lined planter, while views across rooftops and the city skyline beyond are framed by a scooped profile in the western wall, thoughtfully designed to create a captivating visual experience.

a poetic connection to nature

The design of Tiara House encapsulates a poetic connection to the natural environment. The expression of a stone island bench, featuring a sweeping inlay of solid timber, finds its echo in the curved profile of the rear sliding door — an organic aperture to the eclectic landscape beyond. Collaborating with Jo Ferguson Gardens, FMD Architects has carefully chosen a planting scheme of native, cottage, and Mediterranean species. This thoughtful selection reflects the indigenous history, the site’s past, and the personal narratives of the clients.

views of the garden are framed by the floating second-level facade interiors are finished in warm fluted timber