It was clear from early discussions with our clients that this family was looking for a design that sat ‘outside the box’. It was decided relatively quickly that a single storey design would offer the accommodation needed, and allow for high raked ceiling and more dynamic spaces. 

Curved walls allow spaces to fold into one another and wrap themselves around a central north-west facing, covered outdoor deck.   Significant repairs were made to the Victorian house, and 3 bedrooms, bathrooms, and a sitting room housed within. A central hallway was widened, and original plasterwork restored. New Tassie Oak timber floors were laid throughout the original house. 

Brick was chosen for the new addition for it’s durability and contextual appropriateness. The colour brick was chosen to reference the existing detailed banded brick in the Victorian building. This brick was then used both internally and externally allowing walls to wrap seamlessly inside to out. The addition of a black steel carport and covered walkway improves amenity to this family home. The black steel and contemporary detailing contrasting with the Victorian heaviness of the front façade. 

3.6m high windows and doors open onto the central deck with external pocket doors allowing free connection between inside and out. There is a strong sense of being in an outdoor room with the deck ‘sunken’ from the lawn and surrounded by off-form concrete seat, planters and BBQ bench. Terracotta battens sits within a steel pergola over, to create a defined outdoor living space that can be used for most of the year. 

The internal brick walls, together with a polished concrete floor provides excellent thermal mass in the winter. Solar PV panels, good passive orientation, high performing glazing, sun-shading, and good natural light and ventilation all serve to improve comfort and reduce running costs in this home. 

Of note, is the innovative kitchen design which draws on the owners Singaporean heritage. A ‘wet kitchen’ sits behind a steel-glazed window wall, while the ‘dry’ kitchen with generous walnut island bench plays with the folded triangular shapes. The material palette is sophisticated and strong. Walnut, concrete, brick and black cabinetry offer a durable and sophisticated interior to the new build. Consistency of materials provides cohesion across this dynamic family home where new and old sit very comfortable alongside one another.