Challenge

With a renovation already in mind, our client’s home was one of many victims of the extensive hailstorms in early 2020, leaving this charming 1900’s double-fronted Edwardian home with substantial water damage. We were tasked with restoring its exceptional heritage features and bringing it back to life despite sagging ceilings, sinking walls, and deterioration to internal walls and structures.

Aside from the damage, our client for this project also wanted to add a fresh, contemporary upgrade to the home while taking the utmost care to maintain its unique heritage charm. We also had to contend with supporting the upper floor using a temporary steel structure while we demolished the house below as well as accessing the home through just one vantage point. This was through the carport and garage to get to the rear of the site, particularly with the new pool and spa to be built.

Solution

The completed project was a result of strong collaboration and a dedication to impeccable craftsmanship. The home lies at the pinnacle of modern elegance, yet its updated design elements have a timeless quality that fuse seamlessly with the home’s traditional Edwardian characteristics.

Throughout this project, we worked closely with trades to demolish and construct parts of this home while delicately preserving the intricate heritage features found throughout the residence. We faced significant challenges through the course of this project, which our deep knowledge of period homes allowed us to overcome quickly.

The original home was filled with period features worth restoring but there were also elements that need particular attention due to the age of the property. There were existing walls that weren’t straight, and some foundations were even sinking, so our team needed to underpin them to establish a solid footing. There was also substantial water entering the underside of the house, so new drainage was required under the home around the perimeter to stabilise the footings and create a secure foundation for the home.

With a growing family, the configuration of the home was critical, as the client needed to accommodate independent teenagers and allow them space to enjoy the home with their friends. We worked closely with LSA Architects to develop a modern recreational zone that reflected the youthful nature of the family.

The kitchen was another key priority in the home and a space where we worked tirelessly to help our client achieve everything she was looking for. We aimed to balance the moody colour palette in this kitchen with a skylight to open up the space and wash it in sunlight. Throughout both the kitchen and the bathrooms we adhered to a minimalistic colour palette of black, soft greys, and brown tones to maintain a modern, yet timeless feel. Meanwhile, impeccable finishes throughout and opulent features such as light switches imported from London and hand-made floor grilles ensured that the home maintained a luxurious feel.

 “We cannot speak highly enough of Chris, Stuart, and the entire Fortem Projects team who made our renovation journey a positive experience. They were professional, transparent, and collaborative throughout the building process. Fortem’s knowledge and expertise in heritage renovations were invaluable in our build, which incorporated traditional Edwardian and contemporary styles. Their attention to every architectural detail is outstanding and the Site Foreman always went above and beyond to ensure all workmanship was of the highest standard. We love our beautiful home and highly recommend Fortem Projects, exceptional people and builders.”

Mark and Megan, Wattletree Road Malvern East