Steeped in history

Steeply pitched shingle roofs with street-facing gables often characterised homes at the turn of last century. While not so common in contemporary homes, this look can still be achieved using modern materials.

Heritage architect Robert Simpson from Simpson Dawbin Architects and builder Michael Grundy from Linchpin Constructions were asked to convert this Sydney property into a contemporary family home, yet retain its Queen Anne and Arts-and-Crafts heritage.

The house had to include spacious bedrooms for the owners and each of their three children, a family room, large kitchen and dining area and a children's lounge, as well as formal rooms in the heritage style that opened out onto a deck overlooking a swimming pool and landscaped gardens.

"In order to accommodate the bedrooms and work to council design codes, we decided on a steeply pitched, multi-planed roof, which is wonderfully sympathetic to Queen Anne freedom and verve," says Simpson.

"To stay in character the house needed multiple gables and dormers, which creates all sorts of joyful action in the roof and lends itself to the provision of balconies and cantilevered gables."

Simpson says the aim of the roof design was to create something pretty and light-hearted.

Bell-cast timber siding gives the gables a lighter look and Wunderlich Heritage Shingles provide both cladding for the gables and a roofing material.

Simpson says only Wunderlich Heritage Shingles could have done justice to this roof, and he was pleased his client saw the value of usingthis product.

The use of the heavy terracotta tiles, combined with the detailed design of the roof, presented some installation challenges for builder Michael Grundy from Linchpin Constructions.

He welcomed the contribution made by Wunderlich's experienced team of roofers who helped to lay the tiles.

Grundy agrees that the use of Wunderlich's Heritage Shingles on the roof makes all the difference to the look of the house.

"It takes it to an extra level. We looked at other options, but the style of the house and the roof really lent itself to using the Heritage Shingles."

Wunderlich's terracotta tiles are designed to be durable enough to withstand Australia's extremes of climate, from howling winds to fierce heat, from snow to salt spray.

Wunderlich offers a 50-year Colour and Performance Guarantee that ensures the tiles will remain colourfast and will not leak, crack or split.

The Wunderlich range includes the Marseille, Modern French, Swiss, Tuscan and Nullarbor profiles. The Nullarbor is a flat-profile tile that provides a clean, sharp finish well suited to contemporary architecture.

For Wunderlich product brochures, or to speak to a CSR Roofing Architectural Representative, phone (1300) 851 588.

Story by: Trendsideas