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

Toorak contains some of Melbourne’s most significant residential architecture, from substantial Victorian, Edwardian and interwar residences to contemporary family homes set within established gardens. Our approach is highly considered and individual. We bring together architecture, interior design and landscape design to create homes that respond to their site, architectural context and the particular way their owners want to live. Rather than beginning with a predetermined style, we seek to understand the qualities of the property and develop an architectural response specifically for it.

Renovations & Extensions in Toorak

Established Toorak homes can offer exceptional proportions, character and gardens, but their original layouts often don’t reflect contemporary family life. A substantial renovation provides an opportunity to retain what is valuable about an existing residence while completely reconsidering the way the home functions. We look carefully at orientation, natural light, circulation, privacy, accommodation and the relationship between the house and landscape. This may involve reconfiguring existing spaces, creating contemporary kitchens and living areas, adding first-floor accommodation, introducing new bedroom and bathroom suites or establishing stronger connections between internal living spaces, gardens, swimming pools and outdoor entertaining areas.

Our objective is not simply to increase floor area. We aim to create homes that feel generous, intuitive and beautifully resolved, where each intervention contributes meaningfully to the experience of the property.

Heritage & Period Residences

Toorak’s established streetscapes contain many significant period and heritage residences.
When working with an existing Victorian, Edwardian, interwar or heritage property, we begin by understanding the architectural qualities and significance of the original building. Our approach allows contemporary additions to have their own architectural identity rather than simply reproducing the past. Careful consideration is given to scale, proportion, materiality and the transition between old and new, allowing heritage spaces and contemporary family living areas to form part of one cohesive home.

Where heritage controls apply, these requirements are considered from the earliest stages of design, with specialist heritage consultants engaged where appropriate.

New Homes in Toorak

A new residence provides an opportunity to create architecture specifically for its site and occupants.

Orientation, natural light, privacy, views, neighbouring properties, passive solar design and landscape all influence the architectural response.

For larger residential properties, we consider the experience of the entire site — from the sequence of arrival and entry through to internal spaces, gardens, courtyards, swimming pools and outdoor entertaining areas. Architecture and landscape are developed together to create privacy, outlook and a strong connection between inside and outside. The result is a home designed at every scale, from its relationship with the street and landscape through to its interior detailing and material palette.

Town Planning & City of Stonnington

Residential projects in Toorak can involve complex town planning considerations, particularly for heritage properties, significant renovations and substantial new residences. Minett Studio has experience navigating the City of Stonnington town planning process for residential architecture. 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 and other planning controls or overlays affecting the site.

We investigate relevant planning requirements early so they can inform the architecture from the outset rather than becoming an issue once 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 specialist consultants and responses to Council throughout the assessment process.

Architecture, Interiors & Landscape

Minett Studio provides architecture, interior design and landscape design as an integrated service.

For substantial residential projects, we believe this approach is particularly valuable.

The architecture establishes the overall experience of the property, while the interiors and landscape are developed concurrently so that materials, joinery, lighting, furniture, gardens and outdoor spaces reinforce the same architectural concept.

Our interior design service can extend from spatial planning through to kitchens, bathrooms, bespoke joinery, lighting design, stone, flooring, fixtures, fittings, furniture and material selections. Externally, gardens, courtyards, swimming pools and entertaining spaces are considered as integral components of the architecture. This allows us to create a complete residential environment rather than a collection of separately designed elements.

Bespoke Interior Design

For clients undertaking a substantial renovation or new home, the interior architecture is developed with the same level of consideration as the building itself.

Kitchens, bathrooms, wardrobes and bespoke joinery are designed specifically for the home rather than selected as standard components.

Material palettes are developed to create warmth, longevity and continuity throughout the residence, with careful consideration given to natural stone, timber, flooring, lighting, hardware and fixtures.

The aim is to create interiors that feel refined and enduring rather than driven by short-lived trends.

Pre-Purchase Architectural Advice

Purchasing a property in Toorak represents a significant investment, and the existing house does not necessarily need to satisfy every requirement.

An excellent site, established garden or significant period residence may offer considerably greater potential than is immediately apparent.
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 scale of construction budget that may be required.

Understanding what a property could become can be particularly valuable when comparing opportunities in a tightly held residential market.

Considering Building or Renovating in Toorak?
Whether you are considering the transformation of an established residence, a contemporary addition, a new home or simply want to understand the potential of a property, early architectural advice can help establish the opportunities and likely pathway forward.

Minett Studio offers a complimentary initial design consultation to discuss your property, your ideas and how we might create a home specifically suited to the way you want to live.

Minett Studio — Architecture · Interiors · Landscape