arquitectura
principal: pedro geleris
narrabundah house 1
narrabundah, act
This project involved alterations and additions to a house in Narrabundah. The original house was a modest red brick cottage built by the Department of Works and Housing in 1952. Over the years, it had a number of alterations to meet the changing needs of its various owners and, in the process, had changed its original character.
The client’s brief required the following:
• Externally, to replace and/or upgrade the changes made in the past so that, together with the new additions, they are brought into line with the character of the original house.
• Internally,
The design response for the exterior was to introduce matching roofs and building materials to the new and existing additions so that the finished building product is more cohesive and consistent with the original. The new carport, for instance, looks like it was always meant to be there. In fact, it has balanced and improved the façade from the street. Similar work has been done to the existing master bedroom wing at the back which now matches the new family room addition.
Solving the access and circulation issues for this house was the catalyst for the design of the main family room addition which is the centre-piece of the project. This space comprises the dining area on the main house level which then steps down to the living area on the same level with the garden. It is flanked by an open kitchen to one side and the new bedroom wing on the other. This large split-level area has used a long central bulkhead and joinery as architectural devices to define and sculpt space and to direct views and access to the garden.
The client’s brief required the following:
• Externally, to replace and/or upgrade the changes made in the past so that, together with the new additions, they are brought into line with the character of the original house.
• Internally,
- To resolve access and circulation issues.
- To design new family living and dining areas that better relate to the garden and outdoor functions.
- To design a new guest bedroom wing, as well as a new kitchen, bathrooms, laundry and wine cellar.
The design response for the exterior was to introduce matching roofs and building materials to the new and existing additions so that the finished building product is more cohesive and consistent with the original. The new carport, for instance, looks like it was always meant to be there. In fact, it has balanced and improved the façade from the street. Similar work has been done to the existing master bedroom wing at the back which now matches the new family room addition.
Solving the access and circulation issues for this house was the catalyst for the design of the main family room addition which is the centre-piece of the project. This space comprises the dining area on the main house level which then steps down to the living area on the same level with the garden. It is flanked by an open kitchen to one side and the new bedroom wing on the other. This large split-level area has used a long central bulkhead and joinery as architectural devices to define and sculpt space and to direct views and access to the garden.
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