NOT SO SUBURBAN, SUBURBAN. A new dwelling where a generous visual and physical connection to the greater suburban block is the imperative.
Sydney, Australia. Traditionally, regardless of orientation the Australian suburban block is longer than it is wide. Typically, dwellings are built to the side boundary setback in order to maximise the floor plate along its length. The result is often a feeble connection to the rear yard rendering it the bastion of the weekend bbq and resulting in poor solar access, inefficient circulation and suffering from a lack of natural ventilation. Further, in the absence of a panoramic view, as is the case with this house, the result can leave one feeling walled in, constrained and disconnected.
Evolving from a much-loved mobile coffee outlet within RMIT University, the design captures the temporary origins of Little Bang Espresso but also maximises exposure within a tight footprint. The solution unfolds/unpacks the space; the door that becomes a menu wall, a pivoting coffee bench and counter units that couple together.
Renovating a semi-detached, single fronted Edwardian terrace house always poses a unique set of challenges. The sites are often long and narrow with a shared party wall on one side and an existing house which can be over 100 years old. The main challenge is always how to create modern, flexible, light-filled spaces with limited site access and a tight budget.
Design ingenuity and a dose of respect for its original Gothic Revival bones deliver a blighted 1870s harbourside home in Sydney into the 21st century.
CROSSING THE GOTHIC REVIVAL threshold of Maybanke, the waterfront home on Sydney Harbour with a distinguished history, is to traverse 150 years in a few short steps.
Panoramic water views, an abundance of penetrating antipodean light and a five-storey sculptural stair – that together would surely have befuddled and amazed the 1870s sensibilities of the individuals who built the original building – leave the modern visitor in no doubt which century this home now squarely belongs.
Sovereign consists of 23 town houses in Sylvania. The site has direct water frontage and panoramic views on the Georges River, Sothern Sydney. Half off the site has not been developed and remains bushland. This area contains dramatic native sandstone escarpments.
Glamour, colour and retiree joy in Glenferrie. This alteration to a spacious early 80s apartment celebrates the colours of its terracotta building and by re-orientating the kitchen area around a “V” shaped island acting as an informal table, creates a playful & functional contemporary gem to grown old in.
The brief: design us a joyful colourful space that will make us smile. We have many clients who have spent most of their time in heritage family homes and this is their chance to enjoy a fresh modern aesthetic. A purge of old furniture can be good for the soul and crisp white walls were a must for the clients – a hangover from the elaborately multi-coloured Victorian decor of their former dwelling. The Loom rug became our colour muse. The 80s terracotta coloured building exterior set up the use of the beautiful orange Sydney blue gum timber, but the rug instantly gave that fabulous colour injection. A pair of WOWOWA’s own copper Rosella pendants hang in the living room – a lovely reminder as, like the couple, Rosella’s mate for life.
‘Old Be-al’ is the loving nick-name given to the beautifully old, gnarled Mallee river redgum at the rear of this classic, single story brick veneer home from the inter-war period in Melbourne’s inner-east.
“It would be so nice if something made sense for a change…”. Alice in Wonderland.
Fingerprint Me is a socially focused organisation helping young people thrive in their transition from education into the workforce. Teaching young people how to find a pathway to their future career and become job ready.
Situated atop the Sydney sea cliffs on Ben Buckler point, the project responds to its unique topography, by closely following the natural contours of the site.
The house is split across two levels, taking full advantage of the views to both sides of the ridge, while a central void containing a sculptural steel stair, brings natural light deep into the plan.
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