Reinventing a Heritage Aesthetic – SRG House by Studio Johnston

SRG House expertly balances its heritage context with a more contemporary design aesthetic. By stripping back older alterations, Studio Johnston reimagined the home to capture an element of discovery, seen through the materials used and maintained.

Facing the nearby water, the family home retains its natural qualities through a strong connection to the surrounding bushland. Despite its inner-city location, the structure has an almost treehouse-like quality to it, relating to its waterfront position a subtle and stimulating engagement.

Stripping the structure back to its concrete frame, Studio Johnston used this as a cue to what contemporary materials would then be brought back into the interior design.

The original building was dilapidated and had accumulated a number of unsympathetic alterations. The project uncovered numerous materials hidden beneath the layers internally. Stripping the structure back to its concrete frame, Studio Johnston used this as a cue to what contemporary materials would then be brought back into the interior design.

Rich and earthy colours are featured throughout, relating back to the original palette of the structure and softening the external concrete elements. Brass benchtops and custom-made light birch plywood joinery feature throughout the residence; the materials used had to work with the harsh geometry of the building itself without either one feeling overbearing.

Facing the nearby water, the family home retains its natural qualities through a strong connection to the surrounding bushland.

The house stands with three storeys, entering through the middle level. To the left of the entrance sits the kitchen; adjacent to this is the dining area with inbuilt furniture, followed by a living space that looks out towards the water. In the original structure, the downstairs space was underutilised and was transformed to become bedrooms and a lounge room overlooking the pool. The home itself faces both west and south, creating a challenge due to the use of extensive glass. High performance glass was installed to maximise the sunlight whilst also retaining the desired original rhythm and façade aesthetic.

Through an understanding of materiality, SRG House navigates its heritage elements with consideration and appreciation. Studio Johnston works with the structure itself to craft a home of lasting legacy.