Cremorne Duplex in Australia by Hebden Architects

Article source: Hebden Architects

This duplex was completed in July 2019 but, the story started when we were approached by a couple of “Mum and dad” investors who had acquired the site to build a home for themselves and another to rent or sell, with the possibility of selling both. They described themselves as “nearly-empty nesters looking to downsize” and wanted to develop for that market. The site was on a corner and at 552 sqm, not large. It was constrained by a sandstone retaining wall on one street frontage and a small landscaped road reserve at the end of the other street, forming a view corridor for surrounding properties. The area had been steep,rocky terrain until around the 1930’s to 40’s with much of the housing of that era still intact, the existing duplex on there being typical. The rear of the site had an easement for power lines and a large native tree which had to be retained. The property beyond was a three story dwelling with multiple windows.

Image Courtesy © Hebden Architects

• Architects: Hebden Architects
• Project: Cremorne Duplex
• Location: Cremorne, Australia

Image Courtesy © Hebden Architects

The challenges were privacy, access and working around the retaining wall and native tree. Also, the size of the lot didn’t lend itself to a large footprint. It’s position was on a convergence of site lines of many surrounding properties so privacy was addressed by minimising the number of openings to the SE facing
street frontage (above ground) and covering them and balconies at the end with screens of aluminium battens with a timber grain finish. The entry was required to be centralised so the duplex looked like a single dwelling. To make the most of the site area we sought to establish as many connections to the
external spaces as possible, using the facade facing the retaining wall to provide privacy for wet areas and an opportunity for landscaping and showcase the sandstone. Each unit had a small rumpus or casual living space, opening on two sides to become part of the adjacent patio and private open space beyond. The main balconies above open directly off the main living areas and connect to the water view to the north and the sky via a circular opening in the roof. Cross ventilation was optimised with tall banks of motorised glass louvre windows in the double-height entry spaces. A large array of solar panels supplies much of the power needs for both properties.

Image Courtesy © Hebden Architects

Image Courtesy © Hebden Architects

The unit facing NE to the landscaped reserve was bought by an older man and new wife, both having recently lost their partners and starting a new life together. And the other was bought by his son and his new wife, who have recently had their first child! What started as development for empty nesters became a kind of inter-generational housing. The stone and curved elements refer to retaining walls and older housing stock reinforcing the character of the location. It’s connections to the limited outdoor spaces, the street scape and context generally make this a harmonious and positive addition to the area.

Image Courtesy © Hebden Architects

Image Courtesy © Hebden Architects

Image Courtesy © Hebden Architects

Image Courtesy © Hebden Architects

Image Courtesy © Hebden Architects

Tags: Australia, Cremorne

Categories: House, Residential

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