Lonsdale III sits in a quiet, informal street with endemic moonahs presenting to the street and filling the windows of the new living spaces. This is the third renovation of the brick residence. The red brick and tiled roof residence sat uncomfortably in it’s beachside setting. To counter, a subdued palate of materials looks to settle in the landscape and create a casual atmosphere. A timber framed window box was inserted into the façade and internal spatial arrangements adjusted providing more efficiency. To support the growing intergenerational family holidays there are spaces to be connected and those to seek quiet.

The project asked for better connections internally and externally; to be able to expand and contract in response to extended family vacations.To create a warmer, more interesting interior and a large kitchen space that allowed multiple cooks at the same time. The existing residence was to be re-imgained as a seaside holiday house, reinforcing the coastal location and to provide a sense of escape.

The existing residence was in good structural condition but exhibited poor connections to the exterior, a cramped family area and small kitchen space.
Making the most of the current building whilst providing a new direction and interface with the public realm were all considerations.

The challenge was to undertake a minor structural intervention whilst re-organising internal pathways to create a more efficient use of space and better circulation. Visual connection to the remnant moonah trees and better connection to the rear living areas allows the house to expand and contract depending on the number of occupants.

To rework the circulation around the residence, we created a small arrival space that is defined by white batten screens. Reworking the kitchen was a key move to create a communal food preparation space.To counter the suburban, a subdued palate of materials and treatments looks to settle into the landscape and create a casual atmosphere. A timber framed window box was inserted into the façade to facilitate internal spatial adjustments providing better circulation patterns. To support the growing intergenerational family holidays there are spaces to be connected and those to seek quiet

Team:
Architect: Stonehouse + Irons Architecture
Principal Architect: Brett Stonehouse
Photographer: Tony Evans