The design ethos focuses on renovating the existing home to incorporate a new study, bedroom, ensuite, and dressing room without compromising its historical integrity. A first floor has been constructed, including a small library, two bedrooms and a shared bathroom. Additionally, the project includes the construction of a basement to cater to guests and extended family members, although building it posed a challenge due to its proximity to the water table.
The new development is harmoniously integrated with the site and within the streetscape and does not diminish, detract from or compete with the significance of the heritage place or streetscape character. The original principal facade and roof are preserved, and the new contemporary addition is distinguishable from the original parts of the heritage place.
A prominent feature of the home's construction is the curved staircase, serving as both a functional element and a work of art, symbolizing the seamless harmony between tradition and modernity. The open living and dining design forms the new heart of the project, providing a space that adapts to varying needs and occasions for the client. The living and dining area opens to the rear courtyard and pool, incorporating brick to extend the existing building to the new construction.
The design also includes extending the existing brick to the front portion of the property along the laneway, followed by a section of sawn bluestone cladding and finished with recycled face brick with a sliding vertically orientated charred timber cladding gate. This combination of materials emulates the mix generally seen within a laneway context, rather than having a uniform side boundary fence.
Manifesto: At Rachcoff Vella, we manage an end-to-end process with experience and confidence; our long-term client relationships being testament to our careful balancing of design vision and commercial pragmatism.