A sustainable rebirth through subtle enhancements to produce aesthetically pleasing additions and upgrades.

Lost to a late 60’s classic ‘modern’ home through years of insensitive accretions and infill was the optimism and exuberance of the period in which it was conceived. This project sought to uncover a higher contemporary value by working ‘surgically’ with the bastardised classic rather than replacing it with a new build.

An iterative process was undertaken with the clients to value original elements and to explore how to incorporate or recast them into the project. New ‘installations’ were tested to determine how they might work in with the original fabric to satisfy the demands of a contemporary lifestyle; previously infilled space was carved out to create sheltered under-croft outdoor spaces; and, new connections were struck between outside and inside.

With a view to addressing sustainability issues absent when the original house was conceived the client willingly embrace a ‘rebirth’ rather than a ‘new-build’ – a decision based on aesthetic sensibilities rather than financial limitations. Further sustainability enhancements came from reducing the building’s floor area rather than building ‘more-for-more’s’ sake; strategically locating louvre windows for passive cooling and ventilation; strategically locating skylights and windows to minimize artificial lighting; tweaking and increasing overhangs to improve thermal performance; and, recycling elements and materials.

The process has led to a great outcome for building and client; measured by gains in energy performance, technology, and, lifestyle.

The end result?
A contemporary rebirth of an undervalued 60’s pad.

Photography by Richard Glover