Classic dovetails contemporary

On the street side, this home honours a 1940s cottage once on the site – but at the rear, it's all change for contemporary looks and living

At the rear, the two off-centred 'pavilions' (master

Light coloured bricks and pavers, combined with the

Rear sheltered outdoor living complete with barbecue and

Clerestory windows optimise natural light penetration.

The open plan living volume sits under an

Perforated brick wall, timber ceiling and television.

The soaring gable roof creates a spacious interior

Ceiling detail. - Classic dovetails contemporary -

A custom perforated brick wall at the end

Indoor-outdoor enjoyment. - Classic dovetails contemporary -

Contemporary stone and wood kitchen with feature pendant

Designed by Alex Urena, Alex Urena Design Studio

From the designer:

Design brief

The owners (also the builder) had a vision for their new home that would honour the essence of the original 1940s cottage that used to be on the site, but in a more contemporary manner.

The request was for a 4-bedroom family home with open-plan living areas, outdoor living and a swimming pool.

Living areas and master bedroom needed to have direct links to the yard and feel like the 'new' build, whereas the other bedrooms should feel like they belonged in the 'original' house.

Design solution

The approach was to design the house as three interconnected contiguous wings, where the secondary bedrooms towards the street would appear to belong to the 'original' cottage, accompanied by a modern, yet warm looking double garage.

Towards the rear, a side internal green courtyard marks the change to what would appear to be the 'modern' part of the house, being the two 'new' wings – master and living.

A front-to-back corridor links front and back, with focal points enhanced by a skylight and the green courtyard, as well as a semi-enclosed garden bed in between the master bedroom and living areas.

A custom perforated brick wall at the end of the corridor separates the paths to the master and the living areas.

While all secondary rooms have flat ceilings, the open-plan living (kitchen/dining/living) volume sits under an expressed, off-centred raked ceiling lined in timber boards from end to end – like being inside a wave about to barrel – with a custom triangular window washing the space in northern natural light.

Additional high windows throughout add further natural light into the space.

The master bedroom's wing, sitting a couple of steps below, and sheltered by the perforated brick wall, also has an off centred expressed raked ceiling – this time, white and modern, with corner windows towards the yard, pool and views.

Externally, the front, as a homage to the 1940s cottage, is cladded on traditional weatherboards with mitred corners.

However, the garage, clad in light timber – including a seamless garage door – with its curved end near the front porch, as well as custom metal awning/planters, provide more modern touches that suggest a link to the material selection to be discovered at the rear.

At the back, the two off-centred 'pavilions' (master and living) – clad in timber and metal respectively – sit proud behind the outdoor living and provide contrast to the cottage look from the front.

Light coloured bricks and pavers, combined with the off-form concrete BBQ backdrop and the cantilevered timber-lined terrace roof add dramatic effect in the direction of the pool & yard.