Furneaux House

by Paul Tilse Architects

Furneaux House by Paul Tilse Architects utilises clever regenerative design to transform a dilapidated heritage home into a fine example of indoor outdoor living.

This heritage architectural project involved the extension of a run-down 1930’s Canberra Cottage in Forrest built of textured rendered brick, painted timber windows and a delightful pitched terracotta tiled roof. The design rationale devised by Paul Tilse and his team was to restore the existing part of the cottage and juxtapose it with a modern extension to the rear. This was achieved with an aesthetically pleasing glass link and landscaped courtyard that created a connection between the two spaces. This redesigned connection allowed the introduction of steel framed glazing and more modern materials, plus detailing, in order to heighten the contrast between the two spaces.

Significant design consideration was given to restoring building elements of the existing part of the cottage. The pre-existing red base brickwork of the front balcony and house was underpinned in order to rectify severe cracking. Paul Tilse and his team stripped the modern painted finish back to its original glory. The existing hard plaster ceilings were either patched up where possible or re-built to the previous specifications of the home. The current timber windows were all replaced with modern double glazing to provide an increased level of energy efficiency to the home.

Careful consideration was also given to the selection of materials for the new extension to allow an architectural narrative to be created between the extension and the heritage part of the house. Existing red bricks from demolished parts of the house were cleaned up and cut down to use as a herringbone flooring finish in the basement cellar. While a modern electric retractable lift up cellar door with a glass floor was used to allow views down into the cellar from the living area above. Recycled terracotta roof tiles & tyrolean textured render finish were used on the new extension to match the heritage architecture of the space.

Numerous innovations were used throughout the house to suit the demands of the growing modern family that resides within. The entirety of the house was wired with a new Control-4 automation system to facilitate the remote access of everything from lights, audio visual systems and fireplaces to keyless access doors, cameras and security. Solar panels and significant battery storage were installed to create a more sustainable home. A key design trait of the home is the new retractable louvred roof, which was constructed over the alfresco area to the north to modulate the amount of sun and heat being diverted into the living areas throughout the year. A greater focus on natural light created a more lively interior aesthetic as well as making the home more environmentally sustainable.

A design philosophy built around sustainability and restoration was also applied to the interiors of the home. Paul and his team accentuated the heritage touches in the existing cottage through the introduction of natural stone and brass elements. A contrast between old and new is then created through the application of more modernised materials to the rear with steel trims in joinery, windows & doors. The two parts of the home have their own character, however with the use of elements such as the continuous herringbone oak timber flooring throughout, both areas remain strongly connected. Every detail of the house was the result of a considered design decision. Every element, from the bespoke furniture made in collaboration with the joiner, to the stone and brick work, was the result of informed consultation.