Slot House

by SSD Studio

The Slot House by SSD Studio is a modest yet inspired addition to a residential Californian Bungalow in Brighton Le Sands in Sydney’s South.

The project evolved from the desire to breathe new life into a character filled home, while creating generous, light-filled living spaces that opened up to the well established rear garden. The Concept for the new rear addition derived from both the site and the brief, underpinned by the desire to seamlessly blend the old with the new. The idea of ‘The Slot’ allowed the new room at the rear to be divided into parts that defined both the relationship to the garden as well as the function of the space.

The side “slot” saw the re-introduction of an existing wall of windows, as an abstact view to the side garden that was enhanced by arranging a study nook and dining area alongside to take in the intimate view. The kitchen acts as the focal point for this interaction.

The other “slot”, was driven by a need for more storage. The wall of storage defines the direct path through the house and is enlivened by dramatic skylights , bringing pools of light into the room while discreetly concealing parts of the kitchen. The rear wall is a large picture window to the new deck and garden, with sliding doors, that when opened extends the living space into the garden. Frameless glass overhead panels enable framed views of the sky above the trees and a sense of a “floating” roof. All materials were selected for their contribution to the notion of environmentally sustainable Design.

The project is underpinned by innovation and excellence in terms of environmental sustainability, by doing more with less. The clients brief and passion to renovate a well loved house with environmental sustainable design principles drove every decision.The layout was derived from a spatial concept that brought light and breeze into all rooms of the house and connected the living spaces to the garden, so heating and cooling costs would be minimal. Walls, floors and roof were insulated above the BASIX requirements to ensure no further heat loss or gain. A rainwater tank was installed for grey water recycling and garden watering and the laundry was designed without a dryer and fixtures selected for their optimum water saving performance.

Innovation in material selection contributes with the use of carbonated bamboo cladding and decking, as well as pre-finished limed bamboo engineered floorboards and tiles to match in the bathroom. Bamboo is a fast growing material that is strong, durable and renewable. The embodies energy and carbon footprint is comparatively low. The materials were all pre-finished, so both time and cost savings were made.

In essence the Slot House by SSD Studio is an architecturally innovative and environmentally sustainable design that has breathed new life into an old bungalow style residential property in Sydney’s south.

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