A Careful Re-sculpting – Balmoral House by Potter and Wilson

A reimagining of an existing home, Balmoral House is both re-cloaked in a new exterior and replanned from within. Potter and Wilson considers the orientation and existing heat loads, redirecting unwanted energy capture and overlaying a newfound direction and identity.

Originally designed and built in the 1980s, the bones of the core structure carefully navigate the sloping terrain. Retaining the original entry on the upper most level, the garage then sits at street level, with the living and sleeping areas arranged below. Positioned with views toward Sydney Harbour, Potter and Wilson focuses on both opening the home to the surroundings and ensuring a contemporary character is integrated throughout.

Positioned with views toward Sydney Harbour, Potter and Wilson focuses on both opening the home to the surroundings and ensuring a contemporary character is integrated throughout.

Balmoral House optimises natural energy and sits among the newly designed landscape by Spirit Level. Softening the harder masonry elements on site, the landscaping adds lively animation to both inside and outside environments. Through a series of openings, the interior is given a new life, stretching views out to Sydney Harbour and the beach below. A careful examination of the existing floor plan and functionality sees a replanning that brings in added natural light. Lessening the previous heat load, the eastern façade was manipulated with the addition of cooling devices, overhangs and specific plantings.

Bringing light into the internal volumes was key and ensures the new spaces are illuminated throughout the day, lessening the need for artificial lighting and increasing the perceived volume of the home. A central stair then acts as a light pull and the outer sleeve of the home is designed to move and open, encouraging air to move through the spaces unhindered.

Bringing light into the internal volumes was key and ensures the new spaces are illuminated throughout the day, lessening the need for artificial lighting and increasing the perceived volume of the home.

A linear and clean approach is felt throughout Balmoral House, allowing the surrounding view and landscape to remain the focus. By creating an interplay of textures and tones throughout, Potter and Wilson creates varying layers of richness, hinting at a sense of drama.