Bank Street House

Bank Street House is uniquely defined by the interplay of Victorian heritage sitting side by side with concrete brutalism, informing a home characterised by duality.

Contrast creates balance, where historical elegance and raw modernity coexist.

Location

South Melbourne

The Traditional Custodians of this land

Wurundjeri people

Completion

2024

Total Site Area

253m²

Gross Floor Area

859m²

Services

Architecture
Interior Design

Photographer

Tom Blachford
Rising above the historical streetscape, the design features layered terraces adorned with greenery, contemporary steel-framed glass facades, and industrial materials that integrate seamlessly into the urban fabric.

 

Duality at play.

The contrast between the original structure’s rawness and the refined, human-scaled additions resulted in a home that feels both grounded and expansive, celebrating the coexistence of industrial permanence and organic evolution.

The pre-existing brutalist concrete structure presented both challenges and opportunities that shaped the layered character of the house. Its raw, monolithic form set a bold, uncompromising tone, offering a robust framework upon which to build.

“The kitchen was a central focus for our client, a former chef who transitioned to a corporate career but maintained his deep passion for cooking. It had to be more than a functional space—it needed to be an extraordinary setting for hosting and creating at the highest level.”

– Nick Travers, Director

 

On the second level living area, strategic use of light and shadow plays an integral role in highlighting textured materiality. Large windows frame the cityscape, seamlessly connecting the interior with its metropolitan surroundings.

This juxtaposition of rugged architecture and sleek, modern elements makes the space both inviting and visually striking, perfect for both intimate gatherings and vibrant social events.

Both the rooftop garden and basement below the house provide a sense of retreat and escapism.

Through each layer of the house, duality prevails: the playful yet serious, contemporary yet rooted in heritage, and public yet private. It blends bold brutalism with the elegance of romanticism, balancing light and shadow, polished and raw elements.

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