Through a process of removal, restoration, adaptation and addition, this 1931 small Arts & Crafts style house, is coaxed into a contemporary version of its former self.

1960’s and 70’s additions and modifications to the house were removed

By demolishing some internal walls, passage and kitchen spaces are adapted to create a large central space with fireplace.  The surrounding cellular bedrooms, dining and lounge are retained. Red face brick fireplaces, original stone work and pressed steel ceilings were restored.  

A faceted ‘red box’ with an unevenly pitched roof was added, filling in the ‘missing’ part on south-east corner of the original plan. The external face brick and stained glass windows are incorporated on the inside of the room.  The ‘box’ is clad in red corrugated iron sheeting, taking its cues from the existing roof forms and materials, but simultaneously retaining its clarity as a new form. 

Poor additions to the outbuildings were also removed leaving a clean shell.  This shell is painted red, signifying it as historic fabric, the existing openings in-filled with fixed glass panels and solid outbuilding-style doors – also painted red.  A timber portal frame encapsulates these outbuildings creating a barn-like structure.  This framed structure is clad with pine plywood and translucent sheeting on the outside and plaster board on the inside.  The new materials are clearly different to the existing but the form and rhythm references the historic fabric. 

A light-filled courtyard, visually linking the house and outbuilding, is covered by translucent sheeting on closely spaced pine purlins creating a dappled light.  

Materials, colour and scale have been carefully considered to retain the human, feminine charm and quality of the original house.  Because the land falls to the south, the apex of the roof of the new two-storey structure is only marginally higher than the existing house.

The garden is tendered with the same care - colours and plant massing referencing Arts & Crafts gardens but using largely indigenous plants.