Modernist Courtyard House

by Still Space Architecture

The renovation and upgrade to an existing 1965 Sydney home, to create a more family friendly environment.

Originally designed as part of a competition for The Womens Weekly Home of the Future in 1965 by Architect Lief Kristensen, this house has undergone several alterations throughout the last few decades, with the original building being of a modest grid plan with a central courtyard.

The new renovation plan was discussed and given the blessing by the original Architect Lief Kristensen, who passed away in 2016.

Instead of knocking down the building; the clients who have a young family, decided to renovate the existing property and wanted to explore options for improving spatial, structural and privacy issues throughout each space.

The fist move by Still Space Architecture, was to restore the original strength of the grid layout, to retain and enhance the character of the modernist building whilst crafting places of retreat for all the family.

A new garage, store and upper level roof terrace were built to provide additional storage and to create a better flow from the kitchen to the landscaped entertaining terrace. The pool, which took up the entire rear courtyard was reduced to allow for a larger north facing entertaining area.

The ground floor plan was widened to fit in a new bathroom, laundry, study and larger kitchen, whilst providing clear access to a new roof terrace.

A sculptural hardwood screen integrates this expansion within the street façade, emphasizing the horizontal element of the façade, adding depth to the façade, and filtering views from the street.

The reconfigured upper level houses a private bedroom to the north, bathroom and informal living area with deck access to the west.

The proportions of this addition repeat the grid plan and express this on the façade. Passive ventilation was increased for all the spaces.

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