McManus Lew Architects showed how to make a real oasis from a small house

The challenge facing McManus Lew Architects design studio was to transform a one-bedroom villa into a three-bedroom house that would meet the needs of a young family.

The villa, which was waiting for the transformation, was located in the green area of ​​Melbourne, in a 9-storey building of the 1960s. Architects literally breathed new life into it: the living space was expanded, refreshed and lightened.

“The house demonstrates that a comfortable and private family life can be achieved in unexpected places,” says studio founder and director Michael McManus.

To preserve the original aesthetics of the structure, it was decided to leave the facade, roof and height of the building. This idea allowed the studio clients to avoid exorbitant costs associated with the purchase of a new home.

Kew Villa embodied tranquility, light and spaciousness. The desire of the studio's clients in the functionality of the future home was completely satisfied. They wanted not just an updated space with competing colors and textures, but a suitable shell for life.

As materials and colors, architects chose durable and timeless options. They opted for recycled brick, plywood and black wood. Attention was concentrated on white and its varieties.

If we turn to the plan, the new configuration of the house included a kitchen-dining room in the center, sleeping and living areas.