Davidov Architects have sympathetically renewed an existing mid-century Melbourne home by drawing on the architecture of that era in Palm Springs.Caulfield North, an area of Melbourne renowned for its mid-century homes, is the backdrop to this minimally-designed four-bedroom home by Davidov Architects.

The Melbourne-based firm worked closely with the clients, a professional couple with a strong interest in Palm Springs’mid-century architecture – a result of countless visits to the desert location. This formed a clear picture in the minds of the team on-site, allowing them to design a home that was sympathetic to both its time period and its occupants. 

As is typical of their work, Davidov Architects have kept their material selections as minimal as possible. “We are always looking for ways to minimise visual clutter and maintain cohesion in our projects,” Robert says.“In doing so, we strive for architecture that endures.”

Grey granite becomes the hero material in RSB Residence, both internally and externally in the form of robust slab flooring. Internally, when paired with white walls in some places – oatmeal in others – the granite cultivates a clean, understated aesthetic. Externally, it has a very similar effect, paired with the clean lines of the light-grey concrete walls.

The main goal was to bring in as much natural light as possible without it disrupting the family’s day-to-day activities. An‘outdoor room’– much like an outdoor courtyard – was added to provide protection from the low afternoon summer sun, while the original central courtyard was retained and enhanced with south-facing glazing. When it came to the landscaping, these outdoor spaces were treated more like rooms than traditional gardens.Davidov Architects’ projects are intentionally sparse to reduce clutter and create visual clarity.