With an existing house nestled at the base of a steep incline, an imposing driveway and staircase made for a less-than-ideal connection to the street, while an existing pool at the summit of the hill remained detached from the main living spaces. The client's brief was for a renovation that would forge a stronger connection to both the street and the elevated pool, while inviting more natural light and ventilation into the home.
The solution was to construct an extension to the original house that ascends the hillside, housing the new living, dining, and kitchen areas, each level tiering further up towards the pool and street. These spaces are thoughtfully oriented to follow the sun's path, ensuring optimal natural light and warmth. The older, less favourably oriented sections of the house have been repurposed into sleeping quarters, making the most of the existing structure.
The home office, positioned strategically between the new living areas and the original building housing the bedrooms, becomes a central hub that life circulates around and flows through.
A gatehouse and fence provides a new “front door” that opens up to a courtyard of gardens and decking wrapping around the original swimming pool connecting these spaces with the new alfresco and kitchen/dining area.
The design has worked with the challenging slope of the site, rather than fighting against and made use of the existing structures on the property to provide a totally reinvented home.
Location:
Kareela, Sydney, Australia
Completed:
2017
Builder:
Intrend Building
Photography:
Andy Macpherson