Carcassonne

Set in Melbourne’s leafy south-east, Carcassonne sensitively transforms a 1920s heritage-listed home with a contemporary, light-filled addition. Previously obscured by a post-war flat, the original red-brick residence lacked documented history, allowing the architecture to redefine its spatial flow and strengthen connections to the underutilised front and rear gardens.

 

A stepped, north-facing extension now houses the kitchen, dining, and living spaces, its articulated roofline maximising natural light and accommodating an extensive solar array. Salvaged red brick bridges old and new, complemented by prefabricated metal cladding that enhances the addition’s interlocking roof forms. A striking, fortress-like entry—inspired by the walled city of Cité de Carcassonne—introduces a sense of fortification, tempering the addition’s exposure to the street.

 

Underpinned by passive design principles and strengthened by the collaborative relationship between architect, builder and landscape architect, Carcassonne offers a sensitive response to place, supporting an active, 360-degree usage of the site.