Project Overview

This contemporary reinterpretation of a terrace house blends old and new, traditional and contemporary materials, and Australian lifestyle with European technology.

The concept is a borrowed landscape, bringing the outside in and lets the inside out with a series of screens and a continuity of materiality and colours throughout different living zones.

Organisation

LAVA

Team

Project Team LAVA
Chris Bosse
Belinda Nadile
Jiang Yang

Project Brief

The brief was to maximise the spaces for every day living and increase light, space and storage for a couple and their dog.

The site was a bare faced, four metre wide terrace on a 70 square metre block with a 80s makeover but a lovely courtyard adjacent to the north facing kitchen. It was perfectly liveable but..

The concept was to streamline the living zones, create the illusion of more space, open up the rooms to the courtyard, and maximise storage.

The existing structure and character of the terrace was carefully retained, kitchen, bathroom, floor and ceilings were replaced, contemporary built-ins added and space opened up to create a free flowing experience.

Continuity of materiality and colours - simple strategies streamline spaces. Timber floors were laid over existing floorboards and terracotta tiles to unify the living areas and create the illusion of more space.

A north-facing kitchen wall was replaced by floor to ceiling timber sliding doors and slatted screens that disappear completely into an external cavity and open up to a courtyard for entertaining, a level indoor/outdoor transition. They control privacy, heat, light and airflow.

Project Innovation/Need

The reinvisioning resolved heritage constraints, combining old and new, traditional and contemporary materials and manufacturing methods.

A house is viewed like a city. Design principles were translated to a small-scale, on a domestic budget, within a heritage structure.

Everything is a design element and has more than one function – the screen on the stairs is also a balustrade, and the sliding doors become a feature wall, an artwork.

A cool, pale aesthetic throughout with natural pale ash floors, white laminated solid plywood cupboards, with white bathroom and kitchen elements.

Innovative, integrated design and construction methods facilitated the six-month program from concept to completion.

The freeform kitchen island shaped like a surfboard was designed using CNC technology, and European designer appliances and hardware transport the terrace into the 21st century. The traditional stepped geometry of fridge, oven, cupboards and range hood was made all one depth, realigned to create a streamlined look.

A new bathroom includes a laundry, shower and tub in all white. Upstairs there are two bedrooms.

Another small third upstairs room was opened up into a generous second sitting room with fireplace.

Design Challenge

The existing character of the terrace in a heritage conservation area was carefully retained, and reinterpreted to remember the past while living
in the future.

LAVA created storage along every possible surface with floor-to-ceiling built-ins in living, kitchen and main bedroom.

Bold and honest materials are assembled in an artistic manner, combining traditional craftsmanship with hi-tech manufacturing methods.

At the heart is the concept of a borrowed landscape, bringing the outdoor in.

International designer lighting and furniture combines with LAVA’esque and customised off the shelf elements.

A couple and their dog have a light airy environment that feels more spacious and blends Australian lifestyle with European technology.

Sustainability

Sustainable features include recycled materials, insulation, low energy lights, second hand designer furniture and locally manufactured items that were all sourced from within one hour from Sydney and all within the existing building footprint.

Sun, light, air and shade are captured through the sliding doors and screens.