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Laroona

Tucked behind the main house, in full view of the garden, is our warm and inviting new extension to Laroona. Since its genesis in 1914, this Federation Arts and Crafts style home became disconnected through various renovations. This left behind a legacy of dark corners and dysfunctional space, with returning clients coming to us seeking a home that not only supported their lifestyle but reconnected the separate parts of the property.

Our vision for Laroona was to create a modest extension with minimal detailing. One that complimented the original heritage listed design, while also capitalising on Tasmania’s unique light. This yielded a new sunroom for the clients to bask in, its interiors lined with Tasmanian Oak for warmth and maximum light without the glare. Taking its cues from the existing pitched roof, our design places skylights and windows throughout to reconnect spaces and let light pour in. Timber framing performs a similar role in two ways: by paying homage to the original back door and window, now a working back entrance to the home, and matching the horizontal lines of the original corbelled brickwork.

Simultaneously, a series of modifications were made to other spaces in the home. The kitchen location was flipped, joining it to the sunroom and dining room. The ground level bathroom, toilet and laundry were opened up and lifted to be more airy and light. And the upper level bathroom was reinstated in place of the existing wardrobe, with new storage added to the perimeter of the master bedroom.

Laroona is now a light-filled, well-connected home – a true blending of the old and the new without sacrificing the best parts of either one.

Completed
2023
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About the
Professional

We adopt a holistic approach to designing buildings. From homes with minimal impact on the ecology of a site and discreet additions that complement existing structures to bespoke interiors crafted through collaborations with local makers. Our designs focus on context and seek to enhance the connection to the site through carefully considered spatial composition.

We look to both the immediate and broader landscapes for cues on how to preserve, regenerate and create a natural environment setting for each of our projects. It’s why we often introduce building elements, like courtyards and skylights, for example, to connect to the external environment and surrounding skyscapes. We also use passive solar design principles to reduce costs and be kinder to the Earth.

When life changes we often need to alter or expand the spaces we occupy. Whether that’s an extension to the family home for entertaining or an environmentally conscious workspace in a heritage-listed property. We design to retain and work with as much of the original heritage fabric as possible while transforming the building into a space that fits your current and future needs.

We take the location of a building and its distinctive setting seriously. These design principles grew out of the need to create an architectural language and expression that keeps with current thinking and the need for sustainable, environmentally sensitive buildings. Flora, fauna, the weather, the urban context and site history all play a significant part in informing design practice so that structures are unobtrusive elements on the landscape. Local materials and craftsmen are resourced and their bespoke elements reference the site and the environment in which a building will stand.

As the anchor for our clients, consultancy team, builders and makers, collaboration is key to the realisation of every project. Get in touch with us to start a conversation about your next project.

Biotope Architecture and Interiors

Architects