Building Confidence: How We Ensure Stability During Your Build
Once condemned and uninhabitable, this c1905 Edwardian home in the heart of Armadale has been brought back to life through expert craftsmanship, considered construction, and close collaboration. Mathoura is a true testament to Fortem’s restoration expertise—reviving historical beauty while introducing a modern blueprint for family living.
When our clients purchased the home, it hadn’t changed hands since 1908. Behind its crumbling façade, Mathoura still retained the grandeur of its era: ornate timber fretwork, soaring ceilings, delicate leadlight windows and Art Nouveau flourishes. But with significant structural issues—including water ingress, a crumbling roof, and failing subfloors—it had been condemned and was unsafe to enter.
Our brief was clear: restore the home’s original charm while delivering a light-filled and functional residence for a modern family of four. Working alongside the team at Cera Stribley, we carefully balanced historical preservation with contemporary construction.
This project called on our team’s deep knowledge and precision in heritage construction. Every element was carefully considered and executed—from custom-crafted ornamental details to resolving hidden structural challenges uncovered during the build.
Key construction milestones included:
The restored façade now stands proudly with its tuckpointed brickwork and tessellated tiled verandah, echoing the elegance of the original home. Step inside, and the story continues—custom joinery, period skirtings and handcrafted ceiling roses pay homage to the past, while state-of-the-art thermal glazing, solar systems, and an efficient building envelope future-proof the home for generations to come.
The new extension creates a series of light-filled living spaces that feel open and contemporary, yet remain true to the home’s Edwardian roots. A considered materials palette brings cohesion throughout, from the handmade arch to the garden-view kitchen and refined courtyard entertaining zone.
At the centre of it all, a curved staircase adds sculptural elegance—carefully constructed to soften the transition between levels and reflect the level of detail and craftsmanship applied throughout the home.
Every aspect of this build demanded foresight and precision. More than 100 carefully managed variations—many arising from concealed conditions typical in century-old homes—required agile thinking and strong collaboration across all teams, alongside significant redesigns to key features during the build.
As Cera Stribley’s Adam Gordon shared:
“Fortem displayed an exceptional level of care and attention to detail. Their expertise in handling high-calibre period homes was evident throughout the process. We believe that successful outcomes are only achieved through a strong collaboration between the client, architect, and builder. Fortem did not merely follow the documentation; they thoughtfully questioned various design elements, contributing to the nuanced and sensitive final outcome. Their experience with homes of this period was evident and played a significant role in this.”
Mathoura is more than a restored home—it’s a story of transformation, delivered through patience, precision, and a deep respect for heritage construction. The result is a home that feels both grounded in history and designed for the future.
Heritage homes deserve to be reimagined with purpose.
Considering a restoration or major renovation? Engage Fortem early to explore how our collaborative approach can bring your heritage home to life.
