Packington Street House in Prahran by Kennon.

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Considered and thoughtful light plays a crucial role in this modest extension by Kennon Architecture and Interiors. Working on a small site with limited potential, the architects had to get creative to fit an additional bedroom and bathroom into this dilapidated property without compromising the 218 sqm site.

Located in Prahran, Melbourne, the long and skinny Edwardian style cottage sits fronting the West boundary to the street directly across from the beautiful local secret of Lumley Park. With its east to west orientation, notorious for dark hallways and living areas, accessing good quality light became a priority. Kennon looked outwards to Jørn Utzon and his work in Denmark – think the sinuous light of the Bagsværd Church – to design a ceiling that enabled the living room to achieve soft filtered sunlight all day long.

Like Utzon’s work, Kennon wanted to ensure the light promotes the atmosphere of the room and inspires the residents. “We didn’t want to open the roof and have the sun crash straight through,” he says. “The ceiling form was designed with a delicacy to ensure that light penetrated the interior however the harsh direct sun didn’t.”

“The result is a softening glow that illuminates the interior space all day long. It’s quite special – you feel as though the light quality is the same inside and outside, yet you’re being sheltered and cool,” explains the architect.

Luxuriously restrained, the material palette is quiet and natural without overwhelming the interiors. Detailed attention has been paid to the juncture where materials meet and connect. Limestone soldier tiles that are conventionally used outside were placed throughout the bathrooms adding a natural grittiness to the areas. Pared with the honed marble of Elba Stone the contrasting textures add depth. This synergy of materiality continues into the bedrooms, a natural white paint and beige carpet extend the gesture of polish and rawness.

Imbued throughout with a ‘Jorn Utzon sensibility’, Packington Street House is an elegant answer to the home’s light and space woes. The tiny home packs a big punch, albeit in a calm and unobtrusive manner.

[Images courtesy of Kennon. Photography by Timothy Kaye.]