Minett Studio is a Melbourne architectural and interior design practice specialising in high-quality residential architecture, renovations, extensions and new homes in Malvern and throughout the City of Stonnington. Malvern is characterised by beautiful established streetscapes, significant period homes, mature gardens and contemporary residences. Designing within this context requires an understanding of what makes an existing property valuable while creating homes that respond to the way families live today.

Our approach brings together architecture, interior design and landscape design, allowing the building, interiors and garden to be considered as one cohesive design.

Renovations & Extensions in Malvern

Many Malvern properties have wonderful architectural character, generous proportions and established gardens, but their original layouts were designed for a very different way of living. A considered renovation can retain the qualities of an existing home while fundamentally changing how it functions. We look carefully at orientation, natural light, circulation, accommodation and the relationship between the house and garden before determining where architectural intervention will provide the greatest benefit. This may involve reconfiguring existing rooms, creating contemporary kitchen and living spaces, introducing additional bedrooms or bathrooms, adding a first floor, or establishing a stronger connection between internal living areas, gardens, swimming pools and outdoor entertaining spaces.

Our objective is not simply to make a house larger, but to create a better resolved, more beautiful and highly liveable home.

Heritage & Period Homes

Malvern contains an exceptional collection of Victorian, Edwardian and Federation homes, many of which contribute significantly to the character of their streets and neighbourhoods. When working with period and heritage properties, we begin by understanding the significance and qualities of the existing architecture. Rather than simply reproducing historical detailing, we believe contemporary additions can have their own architectural identity while remaining respectful of the scale, proportions and character of the original home.

The transition between old and new is carefully considered, allowing retained heritage spaces and contemporary family living areas to form part of one coherent home. Where heritage controls apply, we consider these requirements from the earliest stages of design and work with relevant heritage and planning consultants where required.

Town Planning & City of Stonnington

Residential projects in Malvern can involve complex town planning considerations, particularly where properties are affected by heritage overlays, neighbourhood character requirements or constraints associated with established residential sites. Minett Studio has experience working with the City of Stonnington and navigating the town planning process for residential renovations, additions and new homes in Malvern. Depending on the individual property, considerations may include heritage requirements, neighbourhood character, building height and setbacks, overlooking and privacy, significant vegetation, site coverage, permeability, private open space and other planning controls or overlays affecting the site. We investigate these requirements early so they can inform the architectural response from the outset.

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 specialist consultants and responses to Council throughout the assessment process.

Architecture, Interiors & Landscape

We believe the most successful homes are created when architecture, interiors and landscape are designed together.
Minett Studio provides these services as an integrated offering, allowing decisions to be considered holistically from the overall planning of the property through to the smallest interior details. Our interior design service can extend 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. For Malvern’s established properties, this relationship with landscape can be particularly important. Mature trees and gardens can become valuable elements of the architectural composition rather than obstacles to development.

New Homes in Malvern

A new home in an established suburb such as Malvern needs to respond both to its occupants and its context.
Orientation, natural light, privacy, outlook, passive solar design, landscape and indoor-outdoor living all inform our approach.
We also consider how a new residence contributes to its streetscape and responds to neighbouring properties while creating a home with its own contemporary architectural identity. Our aim is to create enduring homes with warmth, natural light and carefully considered materials — architecture that feels contemporary without being driven by short-lived trends.

Pre-Purchase Architectural Advice

Finding a property that satisfies every requirement can be difficult in a tightly held suburb such as Malvern. Sometimes an excellent site, location and existing home may not initially provide the accommodation or layout a family needs. Before dismissing a property — or committing to a significant purchase — architectural advice can help establish whether renovation, extension or redevelopment could unlock its potential. Minett Studio can assess an existing property, identify opportunities and likely constraints, discuss potential architectural strategies and provide initial guidance around the likely scale of construction budget required. This can help buyers understand not simply what a property is today, but what it could become.

Considering Building or Renovating in Malvern?

Whether you are contemplating the renovation of a heritage home, a substantial contemporary addition, a new residence or simply want to understand the potential of your property, early architectural advice can help establish a clear pathway forward. If you love your location but don’t love your home, we can help you explore what may be possible. 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