Building on the Past

Take one 1970's house in a prestigious location, push it out in two directions and open up the living spaces — the result is a home perfectly attuned to modern living.

- Colleen Hawkes

When it’s impossible to tell by looking whether a renovated house is a new build or a remodel, you know it’s a project that’s out of the ordinary.

This house, built in the 70's, is such a property. Architect Simon Rodrigues of Rodrigues Body coat Architects says the owners had been living in the home for 10 years and loved the expanse of the site and its high-end location. However, they were not so enamoured by the interior, which was not well suited to modern living.

“The house was very much a product of the ’70's,” Rodrigues says. “There was an internalised kitchen, with a limited connection to the living areas, and the spaces inside and out. The passage linking the entrance with the living spaces was very narrow, so there was no sense of welcome.”

However, the architect says the house had good bones and was well positioned on the gently sloping site, with a great orientation to the sun.

“While we did discuss a completely new build, the owners preferred a more sustainable, adaptive reuse option. They were keen to preserve as much of the existing dwelling as possible. Although they wanted a modern design, it couldn’t be too contemporary or austere — they appreciated the traditional qualities of the neighbourhood and wanted their home to be warm and comfortable.