Located in the leafy suburb of Glen Iris, the Dickens Street Residence is a refined and imaginative transformation of a 1920s Art Deco residence—reimagined for contemporary living while paying homage to its architectural origins. This renovation and extension celebrates the union of heritage and innovation, delivering a sophisticated family home that is both timeless and distinctly modern.
The original front portion of the home was meticulously preserved, with its Art Deco character retained and subtly enhanced. The former front living room has been reconfigured as a spacious master suite, complete with a walk-in robe and ensuite, while a new powder room and staircase were seamlessly inserted within the existing footprint.
To the rear, a dramatic new volume houses the kitchen, dining, and living areas - designed to maximise natural light and provide a strong visual and functional connection to the garden. The new addition runs along the southern boundary to open the northern façade to full-height glazing, while a long skylight introduces daylight deep into the southern side of the space, creating a bright and balanced interior.
Externally, the extension is unapologetically contemporary - a dark-toned, minimalist form with clean lines and sculptural intent. Vertical blades introduce rhythm and architectural expression while providing essential privacy for the upper-level bedrooms. The contrast between the bold new form and the original Art Deco façade is deliberate and respectful, allowing both eras to speak clearly while coexisting harmoniously.
Inside, the interiors are defined by a rich, tactile material palette. Black cabinetry, warm timber veneers, and natural marble create a sense of understated luxury, balanced by limed engineered flooring for brightness and warmth. Each bathroom is individually styled using handcrafted feature tiles, offering a unique moment of detail and craft that elevates the everyday.
What sets this project apart is its clarity of vision and cohesion—an architectural language that confidently bridges past and present, function and form, elegance and restraint. The Dickens Street Residence is a compelling example of how sensitive heritage renovation can coexist with bold contemporary design, resulting in a home of enduring character and design excellence.
Photography: Tatjana Plitt
Client Testimonial:
“We couldn't be happier with the work of Chan Architecture on our home renovation/extension project. Anthony and his team are great communicators and were always very responsive to our feedback. They made sure we were fully informed and comfortable at all stages of the journey.
The team did a great job with the design which fully realised all the key aspects that we really wanted in our new home. We retained /enhanced the features of the original home that we loved while the extension gave us the space and modernity that we wanted for our family. They also project managed the build stage and we greatly appreciated them taking care of the challenges that occurred along the way.
We would highly recommend Anthony and the team for any architectural project.”
- Connie and Tom Sankey