Sumit Singhal Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination.
GLEBE HOUSE in Sydney, Australia by CHARLES ALEXÍOU INTERIOR DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE
August 30th, 2015 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: CHARLES ALEXÍOU INTERIOR DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE
This charming late 1800s Victorian terrace is located in the inner western suburb of Glebe, Sydney.
The househad been neglected and was crumbling and in desperate need of some tender loving care. It was dark and cold with rising damn and structurally not sound. However, for our client, it was love at first sight. Sheinstantly fell in love with it and bought it.
The new owners,which we affectionately referred to as the “Brady Bunch”, have 6 (six) children between them and planned to live there.
The challenges were extensive and included but not limited to:
The Client Brief which asked a lot of the existing house and site;
The land size is only 150 sqm;
Internal space over the four (4) levels is 225 sqm;
The house is located in a Heritage Conservation Area and could not alter the façade. We had to retain the decorative front and rear cast iron balustrades and decorative friezes, as well as the common chimneys;
It shares a common wall and roof with adjoining terrace;
It’s spread over four levels (including one level below street level and a dormer);
The general condition of the house was extremely poor and barely inhabitable. (It had a passion fruit vine growing through the rear façade);
It was dark, cold, had rising dampand was structurally unsound;
Placing bathrooms and a kitchen where they didn’t exist;
From the beginning and early design and planning stages, we worked closely with the client and supervised all works. We supported the builder through to completion with all the design details.
EXTERIOR
Restored front façade changing colours only;
Redesigned rear façade with larger openings for more natural light, raised deck to incorporate plunge pool, and specified window fins for privacy;
Utilized existing carport, added storage unit to create a garden area between carport and pool.
Redesigned and rebuilt the dormer to maximize headspace, insulation, views and natural light;
Utilized the roof space adjoining the dormer to extend the floor space and incorporate an en-suite off the master bedroom;
We flipped the bed around to include a large wardrobe and mirrored the wardrobe doors to reflect the city view while in bed;
Divided the upstairs sitting room to create a full bathroom for bedrooms 2 & 3 on level 3, and a study;
Utilized under stairs for laundry facilities;
Relocated kitchen to heart of the home on street entrance level (level 2) extending the kitchen bench against the wall, outside (rear) onto a small balcony with built-in barbeque;
Relocated dining room to adjoin the kitchen;
On kitchen/dining level, located the sunken lounge to enjoy privacy and city views. A new opening between the kitchen and lounge was created to allow light into the kitchen/dining areas and was filled with decorative glazed breeze bricks for safety and aesthetics;
The steep staircase between levels 1 and 2 was redesigned and replaced with a small landing towards the bottom of the stairs with access to a guest powder room accessible yet private from the common areas. The same decorative breeze bricks where utilized (floor-to-ceiling) acting as balustrade, partition and feature wall.
Space under the staircase was utilized as the mini bar and cellar;
Existing kitchen became the billiard room flowing into the sunken tv/family room and unto the deck;
Main bathroom became the tv/sunroom;
We utilized the decommissioned chimneys for all our mechanical and hydraulic services.
Hardwood timber floors, high ceilings, ornate ceiling roses, lead pressed ceilings are a common feature in Victorian and Edwardian erahouses and this house was no exception.
Taking our cue from these patterns and injecting our own Mediterranean, Middle-Eastern, Moroccan influences, we created a unique look and feel that was fun and inviting, warm and friendly, understated, contemporary and elegant, functional and practical, edgy yet stylish and true to the clientsunique aesthetic taste. It got the approval from the clients and most importantly, the children.
The project took just over a year to complete and the“Brady Bunch” moved in earlier this year. It hasexceeded their every expectation and they love living there and so do all their friends.
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