Nelson House
By Biotope Architecture and Interiors
Light – like timber and brick – is a vital material within the home. When there’s too little, spaces become cold, dark and uninviting – a fate the owners of Nelson House were ready to replace. This once rundown 1980s family home, now contemporary and unfussy in feel, ached for warmth in its cold bones, space in its closed interiors and nature within arms reach.
Working within both budgetary and location-specific constraints, we set out to follow the sun. To better connect to the northerly aspect, we had to create an organised flow anchored to a more prominent entryway. Transforming the isolated living room into a master bedroom (plus ensuite) led to a new living area extension, ultimately uniting it with the dining and kitchen areas. Opening it out to the western side – the ridges of Kunanyi visible on the horizon – nestles Nelson House amidst the Eucalypts, window seats now framing spectacular views.
This is a home that marks the distinction between old and new, reinforced by a facade that wraps its way around existing brickwork, taking its cues from the roof pitch. The new spacious interiors are counterbalanced by storage spines that run throughout, touched by timber and timber products for sustainability, and to add much-needed warmth. Light can now dance freely from room to room, ushering in a new chapter for the kind and patient retired couple that call Nelson House home.
Fieldnotes:
- The existing house lacked a sense of entry. The large windows provided views of the garden from the lounge and dining area, but the lounge room and dining areas are divided by a corridor. The lounge was rarely used as it was not connected to the kitchen and dining areas.
- The dining area was enclosed from the kitchen and separated from the lounge area. The corridor and dining areas could not be closed off with the potential of being needed.
- The inspiration for the façade treatment was the notion of the verandah, to create depth to the facade as well as to define the entry and deck area.
- The idea behind this project was to embrace the existing house, with sustainability at the forefront of our design decisions.
Photography by Peter Mathew.
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Nelson House
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Biotope Architecture and Interiors
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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.
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