Ponsonby House by Julian Guthrie Architecture

Ponsonby House

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The Ponsonby house is a new home built on a small site within an inner-city suburb, where council heritage protection zoning both protects existing older dwellings and ensures new buildings are sympathetic to the established character. The clients were a young couple, with a particular requirement for a generous garage and workshop space for working on classic cars and bikes. The site faced due north across the narrow street, and also had two magnificent old palm trees towards the rear of the site, which were to be kept if possible. Our design conceals a large garage with turning circle below the home, accessed via a narrow driveway to the east side, so not visible from the street frontage. This preserved the remaining width of the site to enable a north facing two level home with living spaces placed at ground level, and bedrooms above. The open plan living area also fully opens to a lush garden courtyard at the back of the home. The glazed stairwell connecting the 3 levels is set to the side of the house, playing on the idea of a lean-to addition, with a steel mesh staircase providing both a visual screen and a dramatic sense of suspension within. While capturing the sunlight and wider views beyond the site, we also needed to provide privacy to the home from the street. A steel screen wraps the upper level façade, referencing the wrought iron verandah fretwork of old, while shielding the upper bedroom from passers-by. Cladding of white painted weatherboards and corrugated iron roofing mimic the neighboring dwellings, as does the simple hip roof shape.

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new build character villa steel small site

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A thoughtfully designed inner-city residence that harmonizes with its heritage surroundings, featuring a concealed garage, open-plan living, and a striking steel screen for privacy, all while preserving the site's magnificent palm trees.

The site faced due north across the narrow street, and also had two magnificent old palm trees towards the rear of the site, which were to be kept if possible.

Our design conceals a large garage with turning circle below the home, accessed via a narrow driveway to the east side, so not visible from the street frontage. This preserved the remaining width of the site to enable a north facing two level home with living spaces placed at ground level, and bedrooms above. The open plan living area also fully opens to a lush garden courtyard at the back of the home. The glazed stairwell connecting the 3 levels is set to the side of the house, playing on the idea of a lean-to addition, with a steel mesh staircase providing both a visual screen and a dramatic sense of suspension within.

While capturing the sunlight and wider views beyond the site, we also needed to provide privacy to the home from the street. A steel screen wraps the upper level façade, referencing the wrought iron verandah fretwork of old, while shielding the upper bedroom from passers-by. Cladding of white painted weatherboards and corrugated iron roofing mimic the neighboring dwellings, as does the simple hip roof shape.

1410h 34m

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Professional Reviews

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“We have been clients of Julian Guthrie for approximately 20 years, within which period of time he has designed both renovations and new homes for us. The briefs have all been very different (including a new home, new beach house, and major renovation). Without exception, the results have all exceeded our expectations. Throughout the foregoing projects, Julian has also played an integral role in the management of planning requirements, and in the case of our home in Herne Bay, that process involved the complexity of obtaining consents to incorporate a character villa with additions that complemented the original home. His advice through that process, in addition to the design undertaken by him, was invaluable. In terms of that design work, we have no reservation in recommending Julian. He is an excellent communicator, and very skilled at translating a brief from a husband and wife (who do no always agree) into an outcome with which we have both been very happy. Our homes are personal to us, but undoubtedly a testament to Julian’s skills. Julian was also retained by my law firm to re-design and refit our offices. The offices are located in a challenging heritage building in the central business district. He had to take on board a number of individuals’ and personalities’ requirements in the brief. The end product, achieved in a very short duration, on budget, is outstanding. His relationship with the contractors on site was very good, all issues being resolved between them, with little input from us as clients in that process. That was of enormous value to us as busy professionals. We therefore have no hesitation in recommending Julian Guthrie and his team.”

Stephen Langton