Project: Yarra Bend House
Architecture: Austin Maynard Architects
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Year: 2022
Photo Credits: Derek Swalwell
Yarra Bend House embodies a forward-thinking approach to “ageing in place” while celebrating warmth and community. When Jane, the long-term owner and sole occupant, decided to renovate her two-bedroom, single-storey terrace cottage in Clifton Hill, she sought a sustainable, low-maintenance, and adaptable design. Above all, she wanted “a beautiful space” that would keep her close to the supportive neighbourhood she has cherished for over thirty-five years.
Originally a single-fronted terrace, the cottage features a respectful upgrade of its heritage façade. Architects reconfigured the front portion by splitting the old bedroom into a dedicated study that overlooks the street and a new bathroom. Meanwhile, the second bedroom gained a pop-out bay window that projects into a central courtyard. This courtyard—complete with a Japanese Maple—brings fresh air, natural light, and greenery into the heart of the home. It also acts as a gentle transition between the original structure and the new addition.
Beyond the courtyard, a double-storey extension occupies the home’s narrow 4.5-metre width. On the ground level, a kitchen, living room, and dining area connect seamlessly to outdoor spaces on both sides. Upstairs, the design provides a bedroom, central bathroom, and multi-purpose room overlooking the sunny rear garden. A separate laundry and shed at the far end of the garden optimizes interior living areas.
Because the north-facing rear sits close to neighbouring properties, the architects introduced a dramatic white aluminium screen with angled slats. This sculptural element offers shade, privacy, and relief from overlooking. It also integrates an awning that protects the lower level from rain and excessive heat. In Jane’s words, “I could not imagine a bunch of metal could be so aesthetic in its own right.”
In the end, Yarra Bend House delivers both a welcoming atmosphere and future-proof design. Jane can continue living in her chosen community, confident that her modernized home meets her present and future needs.
