Client:

Private

Location:

The Junction NSW

Expertise:

Education, Commercial, Workplace, Interiors

Photographer:

Murray McKean

Awards:

Newcastle Architecture Awards – 2020 – Awards Entry – Residential Architecture

The Team:

Architect: James Clarence, Dylan Try
Builder: Orton Building

The Vision

Elegant and refined from the streetscape but complex from within, this reimagined period home in inner city Newcastle was recently expanded with a modern extension by the team at SDA. The new addition creates a powerful contrast with the surrounding buildings, its black and grey simple geometrical silhouette adds a contemporary vibe to this heritage area.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The brief revolved around designing a residence that would cater to the clients’ current needs, capitalise on the surrounding inner-city location and proximity to the beach and reimagine the outlook and orientation of the internal and external spaces.

Inspired by the concept of a modern form expanding out of the existing home, the house consists of zoned internal living areas and two outdoor living spaces. Containing four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a double garage and separate workshop, the project provides a complimentary yet contemporary addition to the character of the original home.

The interior is sophisticated in its finishes and planning, with a play-off between warm, homely materials and contemporary decadence. Contemporary pieces and an exquisite materials palette, that includes a pressed metal ceiling, floating staircase and warm timber elements are the main internal ingredients of this contemporary design.

With the private area located on the second storey, showcasing a screened private balcony and the connected family spaces on the ground floor, each level has its own unique atmosphere. The seamless transition between internal and external living spaces forms an important aspect of this house. A centralised terrace was added to the design creating a central hub with an easy transition from inside to outside. In understanding the position of the rooms and their relationship to each other, we have been able to achieve a strong sense of connectivity.

The exterior of the home is connected with various natural materials, including pre-finished fibre cement sheeting, sandstone tiles and bespoke perforated aluminium screening enhancing the homes sophisticated modern form. The house, although minimal in form, has an abundance of both style and efficiency.

The home achieves sustainable principles by incorporating key elements tailored to suit the location and the budget. The optimised orientation of spaces, combined with increased natural lighting and ventilation, has created a highly energy-efficient and comfortable house. Most spaces benefit from the ingress of daylight, eliminating the use of artificial lighting during day time hours and the low maintenance ecofriendly yard also adds to the sustainable design principles achieved on this project.

The challenge upon first discussing the brief with the client was how to do more with less, by creating something new at the rear in contrast to the existing house. The project involved consistent collaboration with the owners to create a house appropriate to their precise needs. Successful collaboration allowed SDA to work closely with the entire project team including Orton Building, and MPC Engineers ensuring the design elements were suitable for budget and functional requirements. Transparency in communication and relationship between SDA and the client was also prudent.