Lawes Street Extension

by Habitech Systems

An extension and renovation to an existing Victorian cottage which rejuvenated the property bringing it into the 21st century making it more modern with high performing standards.

Architects from Habitech Systems were briefed by the owners to refresh the existing property. The street façade was to be refinished and the rear addition replaced with a more modern and efficient open living space.

Renovation of the existing house consisted of removing the existing rear addition, whilst retaining the original four-square front house plan. The new internal design provides a master suite, open plan kitchen, dining, living space and laundry, whilst the external design includes a revitalized façade and entry veranda with a new porch and cladding.

To ensure light filled the spaces, a passive solar performing system was installed in the house, which also provides great views of the rear garden.

With the site levels sloping down to the north and east and sitting lower than the existing floor levels, ground engineering was required to ensure an inventive solution was designed for the living spaces, whilst still maintaining a strong connection with the garden from these spaces, via the north façade.

The new living and master-suite areas have been constructed with a great northern orientation, which was key in the overall design concept of this house. The wedge shape of the living and sleeping areas towards the rear of the property ensure full optimization of the site’s solar potential is also achieved.

The open plan living spaces, which have been divided by the kitchen, sit beneath a single roof entity, gently rising to maximise bright winter sun and provides adequate shading during the summer heat. Access to the new northern garden has also been considered, taking advantage of the rear laneway access to the property also.

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