Grigg Park
The reconfiguration of a corner block cottage to open up to the sky and out to the garden.
Grigg Park
2018-2022
Team: Sion Bourne
Contractor: Vinnbuild
Structural Engineer: B. Waddell Consulting Engineers
Energy Assessor: Greenstart Consulting
Building Surveyor: Greenstart Consulting
Land Surveyor: Zenith Surveying
Grigg Park house is an existing corner block cottage that fronts an adjacent suburban reserve. Although well-loved the house was tired with materials nearing ‘end-of-life’ when we were tasked with its restoration and addition.
Several small irregular shaped garden spaces encircle the house as a consequence of the dwellings splayed orientation. One of these spaces, an intimate sunken garden and jacaranda tree to the houses north, was already the center of everyday life at the home. This space became the focus of the new works, our approach ideated by the client’s aspiration to further connect the house’s interior and exterior environments.
The reconfigured cooking and dining areas are compressed and elongated, exaggerating the impact of a new full height opening to the garden. At the internal terminus of the space, a previously landlocked dining room is liberated by an operable roof window atop a pyramidal ceiling. This incursion delivers a means to passively purge summer heat and offer natural light to the surrounding un-restored areas of the house.
Irregular in shape & form, the new ensuite addition is a playful interpretation of the local streetscape policy, sculpted to minimise the impact of perceived bulk upon the sunken garden. The ensuite cheekily ‘looks away’ to mitigate overlooking from the elevated neighbouring property and soak up the morning sun.
Rennie Crescent
The restoration of a dilapidated post-war cottage previously owned by the state housing authority.
Rennie Crescent
2018-2019
Team: Sion Bourne
Contractor: Vinnbuild
Structural Engineer: Structerre
Energy Assessor: Structerre
Building Surveyor: Structerre
Previously owned and operated by the WA state housing authority, this 1950’s post-war cottage had progressed into disrepair when acquired by new owners. We were tasked with the dwellings restoration whilst remaining mindful of the client’s future intention to sell upon project completion. Our brief largely focused on addressing the projects local heritage requirements and introducing amenities typically associated with present day volume housing.
Restored areas of the dwelling primarily utilised ‘faux heritage’ construction methods that proved both economical and familiar to tradespeople. Altered parts of the house employ a contemporary material attitude to construct new experiences.
In market terms - the restoration saw the cottage transform from a ‘3 by 1’ to a ‘4 by 2’ whilst essentially retaining the existing building footprint. When eventually re-sold, Rennie Crescent set the Hilton sales record for an established dwelling on a subdivided block, far exceeding our clients’ expectations.