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A turn for the better

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The reorientation of this new home from the existing house on the site brought a wealth of advantages, including allowing for full engagement with the northern sun and the achievement of much needed privacy

This renovation project required a radical design response
This renovation project required a radical design response
The dramatic new entry design is located on
Stylish circulation is a feature of the new
Kitchen, dining and circulation. - A turn for
Living area. - A turn for the better
Looking across the courtyard to the kitchen.
The designer kitchen. - A turn for the
Dining and living. - A turn for the
Natural finishes contribute to the character of the
Looking through the light-filled interior. - A turn
Pantry detail. - A turn for the better
The clean, crisp pantry. - A turn for

Designed by Kirsten Johnstone Architecture

From the architects:

The brief

Kirsten first met our homeowners five years ago when they contacted KJA to discuss their concerns about a very large lemon-scented eucalyptus tree on their property that was clearly under stress, dropping limbs and leaf matter with bare branches. 

Additionally, they had undertaken a home renovation previously to create an accessible home to care for their elderly parents. 

These considerations were no longer necessary, and the brief was to provide a secure, adaptable home for their family of three with abundant natural daylight suitable for entertaining while provide privacy from the school opposite. 

It quickly became apparent that receipt of a building permit would allow removal of the tree but given the poor health of the tree, a tree removal permit was sought and granted by Council allowing the site conditions to normalise prior to commencing construction.

The dramatic new entry design is located on

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Key challenges

The original layout of the home included a north facing front yard with entry point on a busy street corner. 

The existing single storey home's layout and position on the site had resulted in a home with minimal engagement or connection to the outdoors. 

The site is also located opposite a three storey school building requiring a design response to address overlooking and privacy concerns.

A radical design response was needed to dramatically improve the natural daylight into the home, provide connection with the landscape and a layout better attuned to family living.

The solutions

Relocating the entry to the house was pivotal to the success of this project. 

The reorientation of the home to enter from the side street allowed the conversion of the previous front yard into a north facing yard overlooked by the living areas, all beautifully landscaped and screened from both streets, with optimal north facing pool and garden area. 

Broad expanses of glass maximise natural daylight while protected operable windows are articulated to capture light, views and air.

Kitchen, dining and circulation. - A turn for

The new entry is a bold, metal-clad double height form to capture westerly sea breezes – drawing air to naturally ventilate the internal spaces – with remote controlled openable windows at each end to capture sea breezes and act as a functional spine to the home, dividing the more public areas from the private zones.

The internal courtyard with water feature was strategically ,situated to provide natural cooling properties and noise mitigation in addition to offering framed views enjoyed by adjoining spaces – the outcome being a sensory delight!

Dining and living. - A turn for the

Slim angled blades applied to the fence and window screens mitigate direct overlooking from the school. 

These vertical elements are iterated in steel balustrades and the profile of feature timber cladding, alluding to a material homogeneity and aesthetic commonality.

On the ground floor, an expansive living area is articulated with architectural devices including secret doors, nooks, hidden storage and wall cladding that folds and wrap around elements. 

Upstairs, the generous and private parents retreat comprises bedroom, ensuite, his-and-hers walk-in-robes and a large north facing balcony.

Master bedroom. - A turn for the better

Credit list

Civil and structural engineering
Maurice Farrugia + Associates
Cladding
Bricks – 011 Blended, Architectural Handmade Bricks and Pavers (AHBP); Colorbond ‘Basalt’ and 'Monument Matt'; custom designed expressed seam and interlocking designs; EcoTimbers Shiplap charred timber in Black Ash
Internal timber cladding
Porta Timbers ‘Strata’ Contours, in Tasmanian Oak
Carpet
Victoria Carpets, Torridon range, in colour Moonbeam
Under-tile heating
Coldbuster
Paint
Dulux Lexicon
Pantry appliances
Dishwasher – Fisher + Paykel Integrated Double Dishdrawer Series 9; cooktop – Miele Gas Cooktop KM362-1G Stainless Steel; oven – Miele Combi CleanSteel; pantry sink – Franke Bell Stainless Steel ; pantry bin – Wesco 64L Hand Pull Bins
Ensuite and bathroom
Wall tile – Academy Tiles Nagoya Mosaic Tile Co Concave; border tiles – 11505, gloss finish;benchtop – Caesarstone Empira White;timber veneer – Victorian Ash;shower head – Phoenix Vivid Slimline Twin Shower, Chrome;shower mixer – Phoenix Vivid Slimline, Chrome;vanity mixer – Phoenix Vivid Slimline, Chrome;vanity basin – Villeroy + Boch Artis Surface;toilet suite: Villeroy + Boch Subway; heated towel rail – Hydrotherm
Builder
Builder of Architecture
Landscaping
Colombo Design Partnership
Doors/windows
AWS Aluminium, black powdercoat finish
Timber veneer
Tasmanian Oak to joinery throughout
Pergola
Louvretech custom design with inbuilt blinds and lighting
Lighting
Living and breakfast nook – Muuto Rime Pendant;dining – Masson for Light Beama Surface Eye;kitchen – Muuto Ambit Rail Lamp;entry – Foscarini Gregg Pendants;bedroom 1 – Normann Copenhagen Bell Lamp
Kitchen appliances
Cooker – Miele; refrigerator – Mitsubishi 630L Grande French Door Fridge Freezer, Col. Argent Silver;rangehoods – Qasair Eastmore Undercupboard with silencer;dishwasher – Miele CleanSteel Integrated;kitchen sink – Franke Bolero Double Stainless Steel Flushmount;mixer tap – Zip HydroTap Celsius All-In-One Arc Mixer
Breakfast nook upholstery
Warwick Fabrics Saba Colour Pumice
Photography
Tatjana Plitt

Helpful links

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Story by: Trendsideas

16 Mar, 2025

Home kitchen bathroom commercial design


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