Lewisham House involved the full restoration of this classic Victorian Home to the highest level as a present-day, functional family home. The design process was a collaboration between RBA Architects and Sanders & King Interior designers.
The restoration and conversion of this unique Victorian house, involved a modern transformation of the dilapidated, heritage-listed house with an addition of a pool house/children’s room. We were to take it from a bygone Victorian era where the kitchen was the unseen, smallest element of the home and to create a contemporary environment for a family of 5, where the kitchen/living are the pivotal hub of the home.
The original home retained much of it’s prevailing layout, with subtle new additions included an ensuite and walk-in robe tucked off from the master bedroom, and a children’s bathroom with an enclosed, box-like wet area linked by glazing.
The new rear extension is accessed through pair of large steel glass doors off the main hall, but could also be accessed via a new secondary side entrance through an oversized brass clad door.
We retained all of the original features of the classic Victorian house, including the aged timber floor boards. These were kept to give a sense of history & integrity, then re-sanded, but given a limed white wash finish. The existing hard plaster walls were restored, then painted in soft tones with white trim and the front render façade was completely re-furbished.
The existing rear red brick wall of the old house was sandblasted and left raw, highlighting an obvious delineation of old and new with skylight glazing above linking the two.
The original red brick informed a rich palette for the new extension, chosen for its inherent quality and timeless aesthetic: marble, timber lining to walls & ceilings, poured concrete floors, polished plaster, steel, tonal paint, brass/bronze metal and custom poured cement benches; designed to mellow with time.
The kitchen was designed as the focal point of the home for the busy family and their 3 children, plus extended family and friends. Central to the kitchen and dining, stands a large poured concrete island bench with Brass panels accents … a theme that followed throughout the house with joinery, furniture, lighting and accessories. To one side of the kitchen was the Family Living area with an open fireplace and great views to the outside rear garden. Then leading off the Kitchen, behind a bank of Black Stained Timber Cupboards is a return pantry, dedicated coffee area, which then leads to a home office/ study space and laundry.
Highlight windows in the kitchen ceiling area, provided additional light, plus giving sky views and a sense of lightness to the new structure and living space.
With a sustainable approach in mind, this design celebrates materials with integrity and longevity. Large expanses of poured concrete flooring provide even temperature control and durable, classic materials are used throughout.
Material Used :
1. Metal Cladding Systems – Steel Roof Cladding – Standing Seam in Colorbond Finish, Colour “Monument“
2. Eco Timber Group – Timber Wall & Ceiling Lining – American Oak Pre-Finished Board in Matt Clear Coat
3. Mentone Premix – Poured Concrete Aggregate Floor – Internal Polished Concrete Floor
