It certainly makes for an interesting start to a project, to already be part of a building’s past while designing for its future. ‘Bellevue Hill House V’ marks the second time that PopovBass has redesigned this house. The first time was in 1996 and the brief was vastly different. The original residence simultaneously functioned as a private art gallery designed for clients who were art collectors. A large central ‘gallery’ living space was used to display the client’s extensive art collection: dramatically lit from above through a massive skylight. The interiors of the project were kept formal and restrained, allowing for focus to remain solely on the artworks displayed within. This ‘gallery’ quality was essential for the 1996 design, but the present-day client had different requirements: an open floor plan, additional storey to take advantage of the views and interiors with added texture, warmth and softness.
To the present-day casual street observer the Modernist form of this home remains largely unchanged, despite the additional storey. The additional level steps back to preserve neighbouring view corridors, reducing the bulk and scale of the addition from the street. An external terrace on the new level retains privacy and visually reads in harmony with the original storey below. Located to one side is the original entrance point of the house: a long path that draws the observer up and provides a sense of arrival. This procession path is enhanced by tall stone-clad planter walls on either side that lead to the new Vestibule and entry room. The Vestibule is protected by translucent glass panels framed by thin steel members, and inside a large front door opens into the entry room. This entry space is reminiscent of the original gallery: lit by a skylight above which illuminates the rich blue of the stone floor below.
The major architectural endeavour of this project was to work within the framework set up by the previous design, but to soften its borders. The overall programmatic layout of the project remains the same, but the edges of areas have been blurred, merged or altered. Stone-clad blade walls in the central space link areas together, horizontally as well as vertically. The rounded corners of these blade walls reference the original columns and complement the double-height ceiling above. This ceiling features concealed lights recessed into a curve that sweeps up to mask the upper edge of the ceiling: merging into an external cantilevered louvred roof.
