For Michael and Helen Dawson and their nearly grown children, a 1920s red brick house in Toorak, outside of Melbourne, Australia, was a bit cramped. They wanted different areas for entertaining guests as well as space for private retreats.
Their solution was to replace an existing outbuilding with a zinc and glass extension. The dramatic result respects the house's history while boldly driving it in to the future.
"We tried to keep the integrity of the original house and then add to it in a way that was complementary," says Franco Fiorentini from F2 Architecture, the firm enlisted for the job.
The scale of the original was also important. "We matched the monumentality of the existing brick structure with an equally monumental contrasting dark coloured zinc addition," Fiorentini says. This dark zinc creates a sculptural effect that enhances the grandeur of the red brick section and creates a dialogue between old and new.
Extensive ground works allowed for extra car spaces and a pool area, extending the ground floor living space to an indoor/outdoor entertaining area.
"The house was on a big block of land, yet the outdoor spaces were very constrained with few opportunities to enjoy the garden," Fiorentini says. "Excavation increased the available space, turning this area into a big outdoor room." This has transformed a previously dark, unused and uninviting garden into a versatile, open area. Even in winter, floor-to-ceiling glass walls maximise the north-eastern light and allow the garden to interact with the room.
In the lounge area, a polished plaster joinery block that conceals entertainment equipment and laundry facilities becomes an artistic element in itself, complementing the sculptural quality of the entire extension. Combined with the oversized couch, it creates an inviting open-plan family area where dining, cooking and communal living exist together harmoniously.
"It is now the focal point of the house," says Helen, "the space where everyone including Wilma the dog can hang out and catch up."
Another oversized plaster joinery block houses pantry items for the kitchen and formal dining room. The polished surface creates a sense of movement as light bounces playfully over it.
The downstairs powder room under the stairs was also revamped with a cantilevered sink and mirrored wall to give the impression of increased space.
On the original deco staircase, a third joinery unit connects the old to the new as well as guides guests' eyes to the new living room. It also conceals an upstairs bathroom and storage block.
"This area is very much the girls' domain," Helen says. Adjacent to the girls' bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms, this extra living space has its own north-facing terrace, which overlooks the garden and adds the feeling of extended space. A private staircase leading directly to the refrigerator and a rear entry allows the girls to access the area without disturbing their parents - a perfect solution for autonomous young adults.
At the opposite end of the house, the master bedroom is a relaxing retreat. Floor-to-ceiling joinery frames a brilliant north-facing reading room, and the opulent, sun-lit ensuite bathroom, complete with a freestanding tub, is a tranquil escape from the bustle of life.
With materials that interact to create a versatile living experience and spaces that flow seamlessly from old to new, private to communal and indoor to outdoor, the bold and dynamic addition brings the 1920s gem of a house into the modern age.
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.
The package
Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
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Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
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The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
MATCH INFO
Real Madrid 2
Vinicius Junior (71') Mariano (90 2')
Barcelona 0
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
