TIDA AU 2017 – Architect-designed renovation winner – Tyrrells Architects

About the project: The basic brief was to transform the worst house in the street into the best house in the street.

The original terrace house was a single storey 2 room house circa 1887, with a second storey comprising 2 more rooms added in 1902. Further extensions to the property were completed in the 1920's-30's, and again in the 1970's.

The townhouse was severely dilapidated, and the brief was to rationalise the layout and remove any existing work that was below par. Only the original 2 storey building was considered to have heritage significance.

The client wanted to maximise the floor space within the tight confines of the site, and achieve maximum natural light & ventilation. The home was required to have a master suite & a guest suite, with comfortable living areas and a home office. Off street parking for 2 cars was also to be included.

Design Solution

The later improvements were removed, and a new 3 storey building added to the rear. The addition was set down by half a floor from the existing, and a central light well that included stairs & a lift formed a 'gasket' between the new & old buildings, and combined with a glazed conservatory space along the side boundary allowed natural light & ventilation to penetrate the core of the long narrow layout.

The guest suite & ensuite was located on the upper floor of the heritage building, with a sitting room & gymnasium on the ground floor. The new building comprised the master suite & ensuite on the upper floor, living area & study on the mid floor, and Kitchen & dining on the ground floor. A sunken garage with landscaped roof was added to the rear lane.

The heritage frontage was restored, and sympathetic new fence & mailbox designed.

Story by: David Renwick