Gradient House

The overarching focus of the brief was to retain the integrity of the existing home whilst maintaining and enhancing an augmented relationship with the surrounding expansive garden. Moreover, a focus on reviving and repurposing interior spaces to accommodate a contemporary family centred approach drove decision making around program and the new additions. The generous site offered an opportunity for the home to absorb lush garden both visually and physically through crafted views and interstitial exterior spaces.

Considering both the heritage charm of the original home and the client’s family needs, existing spaces were reassigned and contemporised in dramatic hues of blue and green – amplifying unique detailed elements. These scales of colour in a segmented array form a gradient of spaces which culminates in a rear addition connected by generous openings – establishing sight lines throughout the home. The rear addition nurtures a relaxed family environment in an open plan living format with unincumbered access to the surrounding garden. To maintain an uninterrupted flow, a basement carpark coils beneath the site, allowing family life to unfold.

In collaboration with Trethowan Heritage, a respectful approach to the existing home was applied to ensure the integrity of both the home and the local streetscape was retained and enhanced. The contemporary additions promote a sympathetic contrast to the original house – nurturing a symbiotic relationship between old and new. The design focuses on an enhanced relationship with the garden – establishing a culture of connectivity between inside and out. As a result, the garden – designed by Paul Bangay – considers wellness and local ecology to make a positive environmental contribution to the community.

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