Extending heritage homes requires careful planning, and a team of experts dedicated to ensuring existing structures are respected. Our goal? To address present living needs in ways that complement and celebrate architectural beauty of the past.
Nicon Built understands the delicate practice of extending heritage homes. With heritage laws often focusing primarily on the front exterior façade, an innovative yet harmonious vision for a seamless extension can create stunning results.
Expert advice is key to successfully fusing architectural preservation with modern customisation. At Nicon Built we integrate planning, design, and construction inhouse. This makes revitalising your heritage home both easier and more affordable, and allows us to ensure we are considering the crucial elements of a successful modern heritage extension.
Balancing preservation and practicality
While heritage homes are brimming with beauty and vintage charm, they sometimes lack modern convenience. This is an important thing to rectify, especially in an era where working from home is becoming the norm.
Common contributing factors to extension requests include:
- Extra interior space (bedrooms, bathrooms, theatre, playroom, office)
- Upgrade of facilities
- Improved natural lighting
- Fluid connection to outdoor areas
- Design modernisation within heritage constraints
- Maximised land use
Nicon Built are licensed building practitioners who view each heritage home extension as a unique, inspiring project requiring specialist care.
Achieving modern living with a period façade means creating a tailored strategy. One that addresses your daily needs, while preserving aesthetic aspects of the heritage build. Changes must be made in accordance with rules to avoid penalties and pay respect to your home’s history.
Having a defined vision from the outset is recommended. This way you won’t introduce late-stage changes that risk breaching legislation. Heritage homes are protected, and gaining the required permits can lengthen the project schedule.
The regulatory factor
Both state and local authorities have legislation dealing with protection of heritage structures. The broad umbrella of heritage includes different categories, and regulations vary depending on location and scope of alterations.
As a starting point, visit Heritage Victoria for an idea of necessary permits and approvals. Some home owners hesitate when confronted with council regulations pertaining to heritage listed buildings – but you don’t have to do this alone.
Our team is well versed in restrictions applying to heritage extensions, navigating you smoothly through each stage. Thanks to our informed advice, your extension will sidestep any avoidable delays.
Nicon Built’s in-house architect works closely with you to ensure extension needs are met without violating heritage protection. Our friendly specialist design and build team deliver high quality service from concept to completion.
The heritage difference
On average, a heritage extension requires a higher budget and longer timeframe comparative to a standard extension. Part of this is due to specialist subcontractors and in some cases, the sourcing of period-specific materials.
Permit approval may be slow, and the era of the original build could necessitate time-consuming construction techniques. Keep in mind, adding contemporary elements to a heritage home can significantly increase its market value.
It’s also worth incorporating changes allowing for sustainable living. We believe modern living with a period façade is best achieved by prioritising flexibility. Careful planning and exquisite design can produce a contemporary yet classic abode.
As a boutique architectural builder in Melbourne, we cap the number of annual projects to guarantee premium quality and excellence. Speak to the team at Nicon Design and Build today to discuss your transformative heritage extension.