new spaces. The main living and dining room is small, but articulated
inawaythatallowsfordifferentactivitiestocoexist.Along,fixed
joineryunitdividestheroomintotwowithoutblockinglightor
losing the sense of space. A window seat wraps one corner and is
capped by an engaged column that delineates a complementary
sittingspaceintheoppositecorner.Here,theglazingfallstothe
floorline,suchthatachaircanbepulledrightuptotheglassanda
family member can sit within the sun and the view, looking across
the garden. An alcove off the living area, with a large sliding door,
enclosesasmallhomeofficefortheclient’sbusiness.Whereneeded,
thearchitectshaveextendedsolidwallsorincorporatedpainted
aluminiumfinstocreateprivacywithinthelivinglevel,whichwas
previously quite exposed to the street and neighbouring properties.
Acriticaldevicewithinthenewworkisthestairwell.Itcreates
somedistancebetweenthelivingandmainbedroom,bringslight
intothecentreofthehouseandprovidesavisualconnectionwith
the garden below. At the first turn on the stair, a person descending
will look straight into the garden through the glazing at the ground
floor. But this space becomes more through a series of openings
or peepholes within its walls, niches for important keepsakes and
joineryforsittingonwhileyoutakeoffyourgardeningshoes.The
peepholes, with hinged shutters, allow for layered views through
the new work, with pastel paint shades chosen to subtly amplify the
effect. These openings keep lines of communication open between
spaces.Theclientslaughatthenumberoftimestheyhavecalled
downtothegarden-levelrumpusroomforthegirlstobequietwhen
sleepoversrunlateorplaygetsrowdy.
Theclientsnotethat“itneverfeltlikeDan[architectDaniel
Lane]tookthehouseawayfromus,”andthatitfelt“familiar”from
the moment they moved in. The work remains contemporary, but
theclient’snostalgiccollectionofpiecesfitswellwithinthenew
work because the detailing takes cues from the old. Polished timber,
tile inserts, paint colours and the articulation of the new joinery
piecesallcontributetoseamlesslystitchingoldwithnew.Andthe
client’s beloved view is still ever present, but given new framing, or
withheld and then revealed, to create a series of enjoyable “moments”
throughout the new work.05
05 Painted aluminium fins
create privacy within the
living level, which was
previously quite exposed.04 The ground-floor
rumpus room allows
for extra living area
that directly opens
onto the garden.