Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung People of the Kulin Nation
Victoria
This is Lumeah is a calibrated renovation to an ensuite within a Paul Couch–designed house in Mount Macedon. The project demonstrates how small-scale interventions can restore architectural integrity through clarity, restraint, and respect for the original design.
Rather than imitating the existing fabric, the new work establishes a careful dialogue between old and new. Brown Mintaro slate paving, selected for its direct connection to Paul Couch’s own material language, is laid in crazy paving alongside the original bluestone floors, creating a legible threshold between eras. In-situ concrete elements are introduced with precision, echoing the structural logic of the house while remaining distinctly contemporary.
Every decision prioritises honesty of construction and material expression. Fixtures and services are exposed, surfaces are left unpainted, and the original structure remains intact and visible. The reconfigured layout improves everyday usability and long-term accessibility, allowing the clients to continue living in their home as they age.
Commendation For Heritage
This renovation of an ensuite within Lumeah, a Paul Coach house, is an exercise in analysis & restraint.
This intervention by a young practice offers a considered and relevant response to the work of a fellow architect. The strength lies equally in what the architects chose to do as what they chose not to do. It is to pepper and wells credit that they sought out the original architect to discuss his work as well as to garner insight into the making of the original building.
Commendation For Heritage
This renovation of an ensuite within Lumeah, a Paul Coach house, is an exercise in analysis & restraint.
This intervention by a young practice offers a considered and relevant response to the work of a fellow architect. The strength lies equally in what the architects chose to do as what they chose not to do. It is to pepper and wells credit that they sought out the original architect to discuss his work as well as to garner insight into the making of the original building.
The new ensuite has transformed how we use and experience our home. What was once the only space that felt disconnected now feels completely at ease with the house. The materials are calm, warm and honest, and there is a sense of permanence and care in every detail. The layout is simple and intuitive yet generous, making the room more comfortable and practical to use every day. Importantly, the design allows us to remain in the house as we get older, without feeling clinical or compromised. It feels thoughtful, enduring and deeply part of the home we love.