The Blackburn House

by H+Workshop

An alteration to an existing home by H+Workshop to create a more useable space which enables a better flow throughout which interconnects rooms with a more practical sense.

With the previous layout of the house lacking functionality and flexibility, architects were briefed by the owners; a professional couple, to create a sophisticated and smart looking house on a limited budget and provide the owners with more storage and space to cater for a growing family.

To achieve this outcome, architects inserted new joinery into the design of the new space and a rework of the master bedroom, ensuite, laundry and powder room. And due to space limitations, the inclusion of large sliding doors was added, which function to separate rooms when needed for various purposes, depending on time and occasions.

“Magazines rarely publish small internal alterations done to existing townhouses and yet many people live in tight suburban blocks of units and townhouses which have not been designed well, nor suit the way they live. I looked into the Japanese principles of using large doors (fusuma) to separate rooms for various purposes, depending on time and occasions. Adding flexibility.”

The existing site constraint imposed physical limitations on many aspects of the design structure, windows and light access.

“I re-worked the plans to enable a flowing layout between the master bedroom and the ensuite. And the laundry was better positioned in a stair nook and covered by a large sliding panel door, which freed up more space for a study or a multi-purpose space.”

The outcome is a more modern transitioning space throughout Blackburn House, which utilises space better than the previous house design, making the home friendly, open and allows for an abundance of natural light to shine into normally dark spaces.

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