Projects
ES&A Gothic Bank Restoration and Renovation – Bank St Ascot Vale
The ES&A Bank buildings are renowned for their unusual gothic style of construction, featuring tall pitched roofs, mitred fascias with intricate patterned bricks and tiling. Most were constructed between 1880 and 1926. After the ANZ Banking Group assumed control over the ES&A in the 1980s, many of its branch locations were decommissioned and sold off.
The former ES&A Bank at the corner of Mt Alexander Rd and Bank St Ascot Vale is one such building. Andrew Fedorowicz was commissioned to restore the banking chambers to their former glory by the new owner who utilised the building for his business consultancy.
As can be seen, the exterior was maintained in its original style and design. Internally, the look and feel authentically regards the original state of grandeur of the former bank’s glory days.
Decorative Dado stencils, extensive plaster mouldings, rosettes, chandeliers and rich timber tones complete this masterful restoration. High ceilings, natural lighting and period furniture create a truly sumptuous interior – all completed with elements of the bank’s original colour schemes.
Art Deco Renovation and Redesign in Deepdene
Original House Style
- Art Deco
Original Functionality
- Existing extension to rear of house was poorly executed
- Connectivity between internal and external living spaces was unacceptable
- Traffic flow between internal rooms on ground floor was badly planned
Brief
- Improve Outdoor Living Spaces - Provide large roofed patio with BBQ and Outdoor Dining facilities
- Provide a Poolhouse with Cabana & Store adjacent to Existing Pool area
- Update/redesign Kitchen relationship to Dining Rooms & Family Room
- Update Laundry, Ensuite (First Floor) and Powder Room
- Provide a substantial Walk-in-Robe to Bed 1 (First Floor)
- Create a combined Study, Relaxation Room on First Floor with Stand-up and Seated work stations
- Provide new Carpets throughout
- Redesign and Recreate rear landscaping
Outcome
The most important aspect within this house was to design a central kitchen with an island bench for informal meals, providing proper physical and visual connectivity with the Dining and Family Rooms. The kitchen also has visual control over the patio, the rear landscaped area and children's activities within the swimming pool.
All services within the house have been upgraded and the new carpets provide a soft underfoot sensual experience.
Renovation of Post War style house in Hawthorn
Original House Style
- Post War
Original Functionality
- Dark, dingy, old fashioned kitchen, external laundry, external WC, dark old fashioned bathroom
Brief
- New Kitchen
- New Laundry accessible internally
- New Bathroom
- New External Patio
- Improve Storage Space internally
- Provide new Aircon/Heating System
- Provide visual connectivity with rear yard
Outcome
The realisation that a separate laundry was not needed provided an excellent solution to the design of this extension. The washing machine was built into the kitchen breakfast bar - this provided all the facilities needed for laundry function.
As a consequence the rear of the house could be opened up to provide an important visual connection of the rear yard/patio/courtyard on the side.
The Bathroom was enlarged and upgraded in a contemporary style.
A large pantry was provided to service kitchen storage needs.
A Powder room (WC & hand basin only) was provided internally.
A section of the internal, now redundant passage was blocked off and used as a storage area.
Californian Bungalow Renovation in Travancore
Original House Style
- Californian Bungalow
Original Functionality
- Moderate functionality but all wet areas were tired and old-fashioned
Brief
- Modify Kitchen/Pantry, current benches too wide, owner unable to reach rear of benches
- New Ensuite
- New Laundry
- New Powder Room
- New Walk-in-Robe
- Improve visual connectivity with rear yard
- Upgrade all internal finishes
Outcome
The original walls surrounding the refrigerator created a physical and visual barrier/separation between Kitchen and Family Room. Once these were removed the entire rear living space was opened up and seemingly 'doubled in size'. A new kitchen was installed in the same area as before, but with granite bench tops, European electrical and plumbing fixtures and the original pantry area was reused but with new shelving, granite benching and new preparation areas.
After much consideration and discussion it was decided to abandon the ensuite requirement and just provide a larger multifunctional bathroom with separate bath and shower facilities.
Bathroom, Laundry & Powder Room were provided with electrical mesh heating laid under the tiles. It has proven to be very successful and cost-effective.
Defective floor boarding was replaced and windows repaired (even providing double glazing to lead-light windows).
Internal Redesign for Californian Bungalow in Ascot Vale
Original House Style
- Californian Bungalow
Original Functionality
- Kitchen was confined, materials distressed, lighting poor.
Brief
Stage 3 Project by Balance
- Redesign the kitchen/dining area to increase natural light, allowing multiple users adequate space to prepare, cook & clean
- Dining / lounge area to be visable from the kitchen, with sink area concealed from the lounge
- Vary different lighting effects with the ability to increase or modify lighting levels
- The colour scheme & materials were to be designed around colours and textures to complement exisiting dining table and chairs
- Finishes were to be low maintanence, easy to clean and to reflect a French provincial aesthetic
Outcome
The kitchen area was relocated to the existing dining area. A new leadlight window installed to the south wall increased light levels while providing subtle colour.
Lighting levels were also increased by the use of sky domes pouring daylight into a naturally dark, internal space.
Switched separately to a French provincial pendant light located over the dining table, task lighting located under overhead cupboards acts to light benchtops and create a separate subtle mood.
Blue Pearl polished granite benchtops reflect light, it's colour balancing the golden cream of the dining table and picking up on tones in upholstery fabric.
A raised counter top in front of the kitchen sink hides mess with the adjoining display cabinet attracting the eye to precious objects.
The kitchen's south facing orientation allows those at work visual access to the dining room, lounge room (a Stage 1 addition by Balance) and external pool area (Stage 2 project by Balance).
Interior Design for Edwardian Reproduction in Essendon
Original House
- Edwardian Reproduction - New Build
Original Functionality
- The Balance team styled and specified fixtures and finishes for this building at construction stage 8 years ago. Children have now grown, the clients needs have changed and the interiors needed refreshing.
Brief
- Select furniture, rugs, lighting, art and styling items for formal dining, lounge, master bedroom and childrens' lounge.
Outcome
An elegant, contemporary aesthetic to formal rooms was achieved using upholstered furniture, chocolate timbers with a palette of metals, cream, grey and burnt biscuit. Inspiration for the fitout came directly from a stunning Pro Hart painting positioned over the black marble fireplace.
Textures in materials harmonise with the extravagent use of a silk/wool shag rug against finely detailed silver coffee table legs and exquisite detailing in edge trims and stud work.
Contemporary paintings line the walls in introducing colour, texture and visual interest.
The master bedroom is calm by implimenting a natural neutral colour scheme with accents of burnt sienna. Fine linen, Egyptian cotton and cashmere make up materials with lighting soft and inviting.
The children's lounge room was to be fun, colourful and able to accomodate multiple people and multiple uses. Colours and textures were fabric inspired, a Kate Lawther painting was commissioned to pull the look together. Ottomans serve as tables with hinged lids for storage. Cashmere throws in a sapphire, ruby and aubergine are tossed around for comfort and a shot of colour.
High English Mansion Extension and Renovation in Moonee Ponds
Original House Style
- High English Mansion
Original Functionality
- This was an interesting site because it had dual access at the front and from a side road at the rear where cars were parked in a 2 car garage. The house had a new kitchen installed some time previously, and functionality was acceptable but with room for improvement
- There was an inground concrete pool in the rear yard filled with green water
Brief
- "Our children are growing up and we want them to bring their friends to us, here, rather than disappearing to other places because the environment is more suitable, somewhere else".
Outcome
An indoor pool, visually and physically connected to the Family Room/Kitchen area adequately satisfied the brief and provided endless days of fun, companionship, exercise and socialising. It was and still is the focal point of family activities.
Beyond the pool room a large playroom was designed to house a Billiard table, TV Wall Unit and a kitchenette. A guest bedroom was located above with access to a Powder Room nearby.
An outdoor patio with a glazed roof provided the external connection to the Kitchen, Family Room & Pool Room. Bamboo screening, brick paving, a water feature and a BBQ complemented the space.
The rear car access from the side street was designed to allow permanent entry & exit for 4 vehicles, allowing easy access and egress of all family member's vehicles.