T House presents to the neighbourhood as the existing post war home – small in size but big in heart. The design response was to undertake minimal interventions within the existing house while providing additional amenity via a new extension. The renovation seeks to revisit the brief for a family home 70 years after the original home was conceived, without diminishing the intrinsic qualities. The extension was designed to break down the bulk of the of the building; giving the appearance of a collection of individual forms rather than one large house. The first element of the extension contains the new living space located at the existing house level, the second is raised to form a vertical space which contains the primary bedroom and a small studio; enabling these spaces to be private and regenerative while also providing moments where the house can project into the public life of the neighbourhood.

Sustainability

In keeping with overarching sustainability goals for the homeowner, it was important that the project built less and gave more. The existing fabric was retained and in an effort to minimise demolition and waste, the intention was to repair and restore where possible. PV cells and solar hot water are utilised and opportunities were provided to increase permeable and landscaped areas.

Testimonial

“The house allows the privacy that our older children require however the spaces are still all interconnected – allowing our family to easily come together or be apart. The kitchen is the heart of the house and is the link between the old and new sections of the house. The kitchen can easily accommodate the whole family. There is a variety of landscaped spaces which connect both visually and physically to a variety of spaces within the house. Sustainability was really important – the house can easily be opened up or shut down to allow areas to be individually cooled or heated.”

Graham and Kylie