Hawthorn is an inner suburb of Melbourne, Australia, 6 kilometers east of Melbourne’s central business district situated in the City of Boroondara. At the 2016 Census, Hawthorn recorded a population of 23,511

Minett Studio is a Melbourne architectural and interior design practice specialising in high-quality residential architecture, renovations, extensions and new homes in Hawthorn and throughout the City of Boroondara.

Hawthorn has a rich architectural character, with Victorian and Edwardian residences, heritage streetscapes, established gardens and contemporary homes sitting within one of Melbourne’s most desirable inner-eastern neighbourhoods.

Our approach brings together architecture, interior design and landscape design, allowing the building, interiors and garden to be considered as one cohesive design from the earliest stages of a project.

Renovations & Extensions in Hawthorn

Many Hawthorn homes have beautiful proportions, established character and wonderful streetscape presence, but their original layouts were designed for a very different way of living.

A thoughtful renovation or extension can retain the qualities of an existing home while completely transforming how it functions for contemporary family life. We begin by understanding the existing property and identifying where architectural intervention can provide the greatest benefit. This may involve introducing northern light, improving circulation, creating additional bedrooms or living spaces, reconfiguring kitchens and bathrooms or establishing a stronger relationship between internal living areas, gardens, swimming pools and outdoor entertaining spaces. On Hawthorn’s more constrained inner-suburban sites, intelligent planning is particularly important. Rather than simply increasing floor area, we look for opportunities to make every part of the property work harder.

Our objective is to create a home that feels generous, intuitive and beautifully resolved, while respecting the qualities that made the original property worth retaining.

Heritage & Period Homes

Hawthorn contains some of Melbourne’s most significant Victorian, Edwardian and period residential architecture, with many properties located within heritage precincts or affected by heritage overlays. When working with a heritage or period home, we begin by understanding the architectural significance of the existing building and the elements that should be retained and celebrated. Our approach does not rely on simply replicating historical architecture. We believe contemporary additions can have their own architectural identity while remaining respectful of the scale, proportions, materiality and character of the original residence and surrounding streetscape.

The transition between old and new is carefully considered so that retained heritage spaces and contemporary family living areas form part of one cohesive home.

Town Planning & City of Boroondara

Residential projects in Hawthorn can involve complex town planning considerations, particularly for heritage properties, constrained sites and substantial alterations and additions. Minett Studio has experience working with the City of Boroondara and navigating the town planning process for residential projects within Melbourne’s inner east.Depending on the individual property, planning considerations may include heritage requirements, neighbourhood character, building height and setbacks, overlooking and privacy, significant vegetation, site coverage, permeability, private open space, car parking and other planning controls or overlays affecting the site. We investigate these requirements early so they can inform the architecture from the outset rather than becoming an issue after a design has already been developed.

Where a planning permit is required, Minett Studio can manage the architectural town planning process from initial site analysis and concept design through to preparation of the planning application, coordination with heritage consultants and other specialist consultants where required, and responses to Council throughout the assessment process.

New Homes in Hawthorn

A new home in an established suburb such as Hawthorn needs to respond carefully to both its occupants and its context.

Orientation, natural light, privacy, neighbouring properties, outlook, passive solar design and landscape all inform our architectural approach. We also consider how the new residence contributes to its streetscape while creating a contemporary home with its own architectural identity. The relationship between architecture and landscape is developed from the beginning, allowing gardens, courtyards and outdoor spaces to provide privacy, outlook, natural light and meaningful connections with the interior.
Our aim is to create enduring architecture with warmth, natural materials and carefully considered detailing rather than homes driven by short-lived trends.

Architecture, Interiors & Landscape

Minett Studio provides architecture, interior design and landscape design as an integrated service.
We believe the most successful residential projects are created when these elements are developed together rather than independently.
Our interior design service can extend from spatial planning through to kitchens, bathrooms, bespoke joinery, lighting, stone, flooring, fixtures, fittings, furniture and material selections. Externally, gardens, courtyards, swimming pools and outdoor entertaining areas are considered as extensions of the architecture. This whole-of-home approach creates continuity between the architecture, interiors and landscape and allows decisions to be considered together at every stage of the project.

Townhouses, Dual Occupancy & Residential Development

Hawthorn also presents opportunities for townhouses, dual occupancy and boutique residential development, particularly where the site’s location, size and planning context support redevelopment.
Minett Studio works with property owners and developers to investigate the potential of residential sites before progressing into detailed design. Early architectural analysis can consider potential dwelling yield, orientation, neighbouring properties, access, car parking, private open space, landscape and relevant planning controls. For residential development, we seek to balance planning and commercial objectives with excellent natural light, efficient floor plans, considered interiors and architecture that responds appropriately to its established neighbourhood.

Pre-Purchase Architectural Advice

Purchasing a property in Hawthorn can represent a significant investment, particularly where the existing home is affected by heritage or other planning controls. The right property may have an excellent location, orientation, garden and beautiful original architecture while not initially providing the accommodation or layout a family requires. Minett Studio can provide pre-purchase architectural advice to help clients understand the potential of a property before committing to it. We can assess the existing residence and site, identify opportunities and likely planning constraints, discuss potential renovation, extension or redevelopment strategies and provide initial guidance around the likely scale of construction budget required.

Understanding what a property could become can help buyers make a more informed decision before purchasing.

Considering Building or Renovating in Hawthorn?

Whether you are considering the renovation of a heritage residence, a contemporary extension, new home or residential development, early architectural advice can help establish the opportunities, constraints and likely pathway forward.

If you love your location but don’t love your home, we can help you explore its potential.

Minett Studio offers a complimentary initial design consultation to discuss your property, your ideas and how your home could better suit the way you want to live.

Minett Studio — Architecture · Interiors · Landscape