This project required the amalgamation of two separate terraces into one property, and a desire by the client to combine the living areas of the house to create a single generous family home. In contrast to the front streetscape where the two traditional federation houses are clearly legible, the rear of the new house deliberately ‘blurs’ the old property boundary and acknowledges the true scale of the house. This is achieved by fusing the two separate buildings with a strong zinc clad ‘bridging’ element to create an elevation of sliding and interlocking materials and forms. The scale of the house also shifts from single to double. The new additions take advantage of the falling land with a three car garage area, which sits under the landscaped rear garden terrace. Internally, the connection between the two properties is characterized by a profusion of natural light and large new openings, intended to allow visual as well as physical access at numerous intervals along the length of the ground floor, and within the new double height void created by the additions.
Client: Private
Completed: 2002