Elwood House by Robson Rak Architects + Made by Cohen

Elwood House is a light filled Edwardian home that has been masterfully transformed by Melbourne practice Robson Rak Architects. This contemporary renovation and extension was completed in collaboration with interior designer Susie Cohen of Made by Cohen and stylist Danika Rehfisch of Joan and Veda.

The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed this house featured in our recent round up of the Houses Awards Shortlist for 2014. Not only that, this beautiful home also made the Residential Design Shortlist for 2014 Australian Interior Design Awards. This is not at all surprising – the strength of this project lies in the collaboration between Robson Rak Architects & Made by Cohen where two creative minds have come together to produce something beautiful and very special.

“Behind the façade of this handsome old Edwardian home in Elwood unfolds an unexpected contemporary interior, which is both elegant and timeless. In this residential project our design team embraced the clients brief through simplicity of layout, subtlety of light, use of honest materials, clean lines and well-executed details.

This Edwardian residence in Elwood was dark and pokey, but had the makings of something beautiful. A family of four with two teenage boys needed room to expand. Converting the attic and adding a new northwest extension, coupled with a full internal redesign, we bought this vision to life.” – Robson Rak Architects & Made by Cohen.

“Our creative team embraced constraints as opportunities, combining beauty and functionality, striving for quality and longevity, and utilising finishes and fixtures that are beautiful, but also environmentally aware, aiming to reduce the impact for our future. The steep slop of the land allowed for the wonderful use of the attic space whilst maintaining high ceilings heights on the ground floor.

The walls, floors, and roof were insulated to the highest standard and natural light flows into all spaces through large windows and skylights in appropriate areas. From the very seed of this project, the client wanted to preserve the beauty of their old building at the front whilst embracing an elegant timeless renovation to meet their long term needs.” – Robson Rak Architects & Made by Cohen.

Read on for a little Q&A about their fav moments from this stunning project.

+ Your favourite thing about this project?

The green carpet! I grew up in a house with green carpet and I adore it. Our client Danika actually chose this and it was very brave but very successful.

+ Most challenging aspect?

Designing a rear extension that embraced the garden and integrate it with the house, but also blocked out the views of the neighbouring flats from the interior spaces.

+ What did you learn during the project?