Vertical limits
A small site and a need to maximize living space meant the design of this house is the result of its limitations
Building and heritage restrictions can impose limitations on the extent and style of renovations, but as this house shows, pushing the limits with thoughtful design can provide distinctive results.
The redesign of this house, formerly a Victorian cottage with a lean-to bath and kitchen, was defined by zoning and heritage restrictions, says Ilana Kister, from Kister Architects.
"My brief was to build as much as possible, within the zoning limitations. As a further challenge, the section measures only 12ft wide, tapering back to 10ft at the rear," she says.
The rear wall of the house is clad in black glazed bricks. The panel of windows in this wall is cut through by a diagonal panel of wood, which adds privacy to the upstairs bedroom while flooding the room with natural light.
"The front of the house is heritage-protected red brick," says Kister. "The sides are concrete blocks, light in color because of the proximity to the neighbors.
"The rear wall of the house steps back off center in order to comply with zoning and boundary regulations. The two bottom doors open up onto a rear deck to provide an open area for entertaining."
Story by: Trendsideas
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