Shadow Cottage Daylesford

by MRTN Architects

Shadow Cottage Daylesford by MRTN Architects responds to the landscape context in which it is sited. Living areas are orientated to north, to the east the existing two room Victorian workers cottage has been reconstructed to meet the bushfire standards and to the west the house drops away into a nature reserve of towering eucalypts.

The clients approached MRTN Architects to convert  their holiday house into a permanent residential home. MRTN Architects wanted to preserve as much of the existing home as possible and decided to design an addition that sits like a shadow behind the original building, receding into the background, but dramatically improving the functioning and comfort of the original.

The stained timber cladding clearly defines the new house from the existing, creating in effect a built shadow cast from the outline of the historic weatherboard dwelling. North facing glazing allows low winter light to penetrate deep into the plan and provide passive heating during the cooler months.

The interior is lined with salvaged timber boards and plywood imparting a warm glow to the living spaces, which is enhanced at night by concealed lighting that illuminates the timber ceiling. The dramatic roof overhang provides shading to the windows and leads the eye down to the gully and the trees beyond.

Stained timber cladding creates the illusion of the shadow and contrasts the new addition from the original home which is painted crisp white. Meanwhile the interior is lined with salvaged timber boards and plywood, which lends warmth to the home. Both indoors and outdoors were inspired by the architect’s recent trip to Japan, where an emphasis on the use of raw materials, deep overhangs and connections to garden spaces are key.

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