A crafted volume is carefully connected to the retained and refashioned rear of an original 1960’s brick dwelling to enact clear planning, cost and environmental values in an articulated binary composition of spatial and material opposites - a cellular and private front with an extant yellow brick character, and a voluminous and public rear with a singular grey metal expression in counterpoint.

The retained bungalow responsibly preserves the embodied energy of its original footprint while contributing to meeting a low budget and allowing the mid-century form of its suburban type to be retained within its locality. Its available envelope carefully configures the client’s ‘private’ program within a reworked plan, while vaulted skylights carved within the original roof expand several spaces to light and sky. A sharply folding link spatially unlocks a compressed front hall while allowing the location of interstitial courtyards for light, ventilation and divergent view at the centre of the plan - in turn promoting an interplay of private and public rooms across front and rear zones.

The two-storey pavilion provides a volumetrically expansive double-height living area, and serves as a generously proportioned ‘garden room’ with large apertures capturing sky and landscape views. A stair element extends the established circulation condition from the original front entry, while also marking the arrangement of two smaller rooms at one end of its volume. It employs a predominance of pre-finished and robust low maintenance materials for long term durability and offers a dichotomy of two differing material characters at either end of its volume, while its binary play of honey and grey tones reference the exterior yellow brick and grey metal of the two distinct structures.

It reflects contemporary patterns of use for meals preparations, dining and enjoyment of directly connected outdoor spaces and achieves improved privacy from overlooking neighbours - while simultaneously allowing desired transparency for unfettered spatial relationships within its volume and across its two parts for strengthened connections to its landscaped gardens and setting.

Date: 2013 - 2018
Location: Woolooware, Sydney / Gweagal Land

Builder: Owner
Structural Engineer: SDA Structures
Civil Engineer: ACOR Consultants
Landscape: Fig Landscapes
Surveyor: Junek & Junek
Planner: Damian O’Toole Town Planning
Photography: Brett Boardman Photography

2019 Lysaght Design Awards - Highly Commended
2019 ArchDaily Building of the Year Awards - Nomination
2018 Houses Awards - Shortlisted Finalist
2018 Australian Timber Design Awards - Shortlisted Finalist

Testimonial: Jeremy Farrington & Jasmin Ellis

Chris has been an integral part of our 4+ year journey in turning our 1960’s modest brick house into something that discreetly improved the understated original character from the street while opening it up into an amazing contemporary new addition which provides perfect living spaces in which to enjoy our time.

Chris has an amazing level of attention to detail and focus that was carried across all elements of our build to help drive the result of our amazing light-filled addition. He has brought his vast product knowledge to ensure the finishes were exactly what we wanted for a great architectural outcome inside and out.

Chris’ passion shows through in all elements of his work and phases of the project and for that we are sincerely thankful.