Westgarth is a sensitively modernized historic row house in Melbourne's highly sought-after Fitzroy neighborhood — acquired in 2006, fully transformed, and sold in 2008 at a significant return.
The scope was substantial — a sensitively modernized historic row house, acquired, fully transformed, and sold at a significant return within a two-year cycle. The rear third of the original structure was demolished, a full gut renovation executed throughout, and the home expanded vertically and horizontally across an additional floor and 25% footprint expansion. Entitlements were secured in a neighborhood defined by heritage sensitivity and planning scrutiny. The result honored the home's character and warmth while delivering a genuinely contemporary living environment.
Sustainable principles were integrated from the ground up — not as an afterthought. Passive solar design drives both heating and cooling: properly sized overhangs admit low-angle winter sun and exclude high-angle summer sun, while a polished concrete slab serves as thermal mass, absorbing radiation during the day and releasing heat at night. Passive cooling leverages cross-ventilation from southern prevailing breezes, the Venturi effect through strategically sized windows, and stack effect ventilation via stairwell-top openings that exhaust rising hot air and draw in cool air below.
Additional systems include evacuated tube solar hot water panels backed by instantaneous gas boost, a 7,000-liter rainwater bladder connected to hot water, toilets, washing machine, and external taps, high-R insulation, double-glazed timber-framed windows to minimize thermal bridging, and draught sealing throughout. Materials were selected for embodied energy, locality, and durability — recycled and remilled timber for stair treads, decking, and pergola; low- and no-VOC finishes throughout; pervious ground cover to support aquifer recharge.
Bought, designed, entitled, built, and sold in two years. Strong return on a heritage-constrained site in one of Melbourne's most competitive residential markets.
