Leopold Crescent — Black and White

The Black and White extension to a post-war semi-detached home in Mont Albert is a testimony to design collaboration and the opportunities for integration when design is considered at a macro and micro scale throughout the process.

In a rare occurrence our clients approached Cantilever as the kitchen and cabinet designers before even considering the architecture of the extension.  With a mutual design respect and focus on sustainable materials, refined detailing and environmental performance, we recommended friend and architect Ben Callery Architects.  It was a pleasure to collaborate with Ben and our horticulturist clients; we particularly enjoyed learning from Ben’s holistic approach to sustainability. 

The drive for sustainable, quality design informed many choices through the project and also provide strong architectural gestures. Strategies include: 

• Maximising solar gain in winter through a north orientation, raked roof and clerestory windows

• Large openings connect the home with the landscape, locating these on either side of the home provides cross-ventilation

• Passive cooling is assisted by the use of louvre windows and energy efficient ceiling fans

• A well-insulated concrete slab provides thermal mass and high-levels of insulation  maintain steady temperatures throughout the seasons

• Quality materials with minimal maintenance to increase life span

• The result is an elegant and compact extension featuring a restrained material palette which is designed to complement and accentuate the materials and details of our K3 Kitchen Series. 

Other features include:

• Melbourne-made Cantilever steel handles

• Splashback window with louvre and clerestory window

• Eames lounge chair

• Mies van de Rohe Barcelona chair

• Haiku ceiling fans

Photography by Tatjana Plitt

Styling Ben Callery and Tatjana Plitt