The brief was to reinvent and update this substantial residence to a beautiful 21st century family home that respects and retains its heritage significance without compromising the demands and joys of modern day living.
The original configuration of the house was an enclosed labyrinth with a procession of narrow doors and passageways. It turned its back to all outdoor spaces. The set back from the street to the west is substantial, creating a relatively deep front garden, and, by extension, the depth of the rear garden is limited.
The rear garden was occupied by an oval shaped pool and shed. Access to this area was limited to a single solid door from the laundry. An underutilised grassed area to the south similarly could only be accessed from a single solid door.
Visual connections to the rear garden from the house were also limited to small windows from the kitchen.
The property sits very close to the north boundary with the main entrance, return verandah and formal living and dining rooms along this northern aspect. It is understood that the property once included the allotment to the north.
The existing rear kitchen-laundry volumes are possibly the original stables. Archived drawings show new windows and doors added to these areas in the late 1960's, but many of the original external and internal features are present throughout the house.
Interventions for this robust, bold and imposing house had to be sensitive, thoughtful with purpose and longevity.