Located in the inner east of Melbourne, Hawthorn House sees the reimagining of an existing family home, opening up to its newly crafted rear garden and layering in integral connections internally to reflect its owners. As is much the case with homes over time, the existing bones needed refreshing and being brought into a contemporary relevance, while still retaining elements of the original. Hawthorn House differs from most, however, in that its front face to the street has less of a presence, concealing the main structure of the home behind a high wall. Its unique frontage instead offers a sense of discovery and incites curiosity as to what awaits beyond, and a directive journey unfolds as one enters into the home. Combining forces, Rosstang Architects and Fiona Jack Interiors apply a layered approach, integrated the old in with the new.