Following the purchase of a heritage home, our client asked us to find a way to transform the existing building with it’s compartmentalised spaces into a comfortable, free-flowing and spacious family living zone.

The existing building was too recently modified to be demolished but contained spaces too outdated and compartmentalised to meet the needs of a young family. Our design approach focused on making a series of ‘small moves’ aimed at creating major change.

A small existing courtyard in the middle of the house is enclosed and covered with a glass roof transforming it into a vibrant sky lit family dining room. Concealed external blinds control light and heat into this space. This conversion allowed the floor plan to be opened up to incorporate a generous cooks kitchen and lounge without extending the existing building. A new wall of timber joinery conceals the existing structure and simultaneously addresses both the dining and the lounge room. Hidden glazing incorporated into the joinery unit and a concealed sliding door allows the rooms to be acoustically separated but remain visually connected.

Restrained architectural modifications and a naturally simple material palette have completely change the character and spatial relationships within the living zone of this inner city home.