Brise Soleil

An 1860s workers’ cottage is reimagined with a dramatic rear addition, unseen from the preserved street frontage. Beyond a polite weatherboard facade, its series of lofty, light-infused spaces unfold in contrast to the original rooms. The rear facade is a tour de force of concrete banding with marble blades – a brise soleil - brilliantly opening the house to light.

The extension houses a new open-plan kitchen and living area, extending out into a private garden terrace. A light well and two-storey void connect the old and new sections, signalling a tectonic shift in materials and spatial quality. A timber staircase leads to new bedrooms and a mezzanine overlooking the living area. Beside it, a striking red-lacquered screen echoes the intricacy of the brise soleil. The rear facade’s strong concrete banding is tempered with fixed louvres of marble that filter and attenuate the north sun in summer while allowing it to penetrate deeply during winter.

Photography: Brett Boardman