The Cornwell Residence is an iconic 1950’s building - a two level slim brick house, its unique U-shape planned around the carport entry accentuating the era’s adoration of the automobile. The materials, forms and geometries - “all off square” - celebrate the optimism of post-war Melbourne.

The brief from the client was simple: They liked sitting in the treetops, but the house was getting too small especially for two young sons. Nik Karalis with interior designers Hecker, Phelan & Guthrie chose to keep as much of the original structure as possible, taking its modernist geometries and outward -looking optimism as inspiration for the new addition.

The larger plan included a new double storey wing, an open plan living and dining space above a dedicated children’s floor of bedrooms, bathroom and rumpus room.