Walkerville Residence represents a fusion between a storied Victorian past and a modern-day interpretation. Adelaide-based Architecture firm Williams Burton Leopardi craft an elegant, four-bedroom sanctuary, weaving heritage character through contemporary materiality.
Williams Burton Leopardi (WBL) co-directors David Burton and Sophia Leopardi were tasked with revealing the potential of an original sandstone Victorian. The home, which has previously undergone a rear addition circa 1960, presented an ideal footprint for WBL to rework and propel it into the present day.
Gemma chair by Baxter, Snoopy table lamp by Flos and the Offset coffee table by Resident.
Unusual for Adelaide with its relatively flat streets, Walkerville’s location on an elevated corner provided an opportunity for scenic views. WBL’s remodelled plan takes full advantage of the picturesque Adelaide Hills, with sweeping views from the first floor.
Utilising the exact proportions of the home, WBL crafted a new two-storey plan, removing and adding walls to morph it into a sophisticated, upscaled dwelling. “Classical elegance is present in the detailing of joinery and finishes, with materiality the thread that knits new work with the traditional spaces,” co-director David explains.
The living room features the Lola armchair by Jardan, Partition coffee table, Offset side table, both by Resident, as well as the Crosshatch chair by Herman Miller.
The single-tier Gaia pendant by Ochre sits above the Stella dining table by Zuster, surrounded by CH88P dining chairs by Carl Hansen. An Atollo 235 table lamp by Oluce adorns the Halo sideboard by Zuster.
A combined kitchen, dining and living to the rear takes full advantage of northern light. Four and a half metre ceilings paired with towering steel sliding doors invite the outside in. “The owners who have downsized from a home with a large garden can savour the sophistication of their indoor sanctuary while having the sense of being outdoors,” David says.
Functionality and sophistication take centre stage in the kitchen. The fluted finish under the island bench provides a subtle nod to a ‘classical column’ in the kitchen, adding a moment of old-world charm to the modern space. Tundra marble contrasts with crisp white marble, while black panelled shutters provide both light or privacy. The adjacent floating marble staircase leading up to the first floor or down to the cellar and three-car garage sits behind a wall of glass revealing the Adelaide hills.
The kitchen features Tundra marble flooring leading to a crisp white concrete bench top with fluted concrete panel surrounded by Iva stools by Grazia & Co.
Previous formal sitting and dining rooms are revived and updated with high end finishes in the ground floor redesign. Existing floorboards anchor underfoot in black Japan stain, complemented with a palette of muted greys, royal blue, pastel pink and timber for warmth.
The reimagined master suite is complete with an oversized main bedroom and parents retreat, an ornate marble adorned ensuite, and a separate dressing room that opens to an internal courtyard. It’s a dignified use of space where scale and light are generous yet not overwhelming.
Walkerville Residence is a true testament to considered design. It’s a modern interpretation of a heritage home with WBL’s subtle internal details hinting at its historical past.
The bedroom features the Four Lamp Circle pendant by Anna Charlesworth, the Roy Wall light by Viabizzuno and the Harlosh bedside table by Pinch.
An ornate ensuite showcases Arabescato floor and wall tile as well as the Accursio side table by laCividina.
The master dressing room includes custom joinery designed by WBL and the Single Celestial pebble pendant by Ochre.
A new contemporary interpretation of the 1960s addition contrasts with the original heritage Victorian sandstone facade.
