Historical perspective

Reconciling modern everyday needs with period character is never an easy task. Being true to an existing framework while providing for the demands of contemporary living takes expertise and patience.

It's a concept that renovations of the 80s seem to have undervalued, if the number of excisions of such works in period homes is any indication.

The featured property is one such project. Built in 1896, this sandstone cottage was remodelled 30 years ago and has now been sympathetically reworked to restore the original character and to provide a more cohesive living environment, says architect Duncan Sanby.

"The original footprint consisted of the cottage and a small artist's studio. In the 80s the cottage and studio were consolidated and an extension added which housed a formal living and dining room.

"Although quite a spacious property, the interior was disjointed and none of the rooms provided a coherent transition. Without a sense of the spaces flowing from one to the other, the owners really didn't know how to live in the house successfully."

Sanby and his team set about devising a new layout that would provide the functionality the owners craved, while retaining and in some cases reinstating the original character of the property.

"One of the most important parts of the project was deciding how to make the best use of the former artist's studio, which had been converted into two small bedrooms," says Sanby. "Having looked at a number of options for this building, it was decided to convert the two rooms back into one, in order to accommodate the new kitchen.

"Situated at the end of the central hall of the cottage, the studio was well placed to become the heart of the house, thus reinvigorating this beautiful space with a new purpose."

Having established the new kitchen as the linchpin of the design, from which the other rooms would radiate, the focus shifted to fulfilling the owners' remaining requirements.

The formal living room was converted into a pool room, and the dining room became a studio. A matching extension was created on the other side of the kitchen to house the new living and dining room, forming a semi-enclosed courtyard between the two structures. Utility rooms and an internal-access garage round out the new additions to the property.

"The new additions are deliberately modern in style. This serves not only to highlight the differences between the old and new, but also preserves the integrity of the original structures, rather than muddying the whole with mock heritage features," says Sanby.

In fact, several such features were removed during the renovations, including the double mansard roof above the previous living and dining room.

"The removal of the roof above the first extension was entirely the owner's decision, and a very brave one, considering it was a perfectly functional roof. But the result is an undeniable success the clean-lined new roof adds even more to the overall effect," says the architect.

An ensuite bathroom installed in the 1980s was also removed and the section of veranda it occupied reinstated to provide a separate entry for the new studio and home office.

The 1980s-era kitchen has been turned into a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite for the master bedroom. Two further bedrooms and a study now inhabit the original cottage. Each of these rooms has an interior that recalls the Victorian aesthetic, without sacrificing modernity.

"By removing the heaviness of the previous decor the dark wood panelling, wallpaper and inappropriate paint colours the proportions, natural light and beauty of the Victorian rooms have been revealed," says Sanby.

As with the architectural style of the new additions, the interior scheme of these rooms was designed to enhance the differences, to celebrate what has gone before and what is to come.

"This project has provided more functional and habitable spaces through respectful reuse of the existing heritage buildings, as well as through additional contemporary living spaces that enjoy the best aspect, privacy and space the site had to offer," says Sanby.

"The palette of materials and detailing of the new additions was deliberately restrained, in deference to the original 1890s sandstone buildings, without mimicking or repeating.

"The new contemporary living areas have been designed without compromise, ensuring this impressive home will be enjoyed for several generations in the future."

Story by: Justin Foote