Neutral Bay
Brief
The clients wanted to retain the heritage charm of the listed Victorian Italianate house built in the 1890s, and also completely refurbish the existing rear addition as a modern living space with additional bedroom and service spaces on the first floor. The largely southern orientation and site opportunities, coupled with the complex layout of underused and dark rooms provided challenges to maintaining the period charm of the house whilst creating a contemporary family home with a feeling of light and space.
Solution
The majority of the existing house was retained, but the plan was simplified and streamlined to encompass an addition at the rear, housing a new open plan kitchen and living area, opening onto the pool and back yard. New light wells and double-height space with a louvred glass wall draw maximum daylight and natural ventilation into the house. Splashes of colour enliven and delineate the spaces with attention to detail further expressed in the texture and materials utilised in the interiors. Upstairs, a new fourth bedroom and bathroom add space and flexibility to the existing first floor. The rear-lane facing garage, pool and backyard have also been completely transformed to encapsulate the modern lifestyle of the client and their family.
