This renovation stemmed from the clients’ desire to inject life and light into the everyday spaces of their 1880s Henry Hunter-designed home. The large family spent the bulk of their time in the kitchen, which despite a previous 1970s renovation, was cold, dark and a disconnected space from the wider house. Working within the significant heritage fabric, the new works looked to peel back the added layers of the 1970s renovation and insert a new respectful light-filled counterpoint. The false ceiling and roof from the 1970s extension was removed and replaced with a new roof to match the original structure. The new cathedral ceiling is used to bounce light into the space, a skylight slot used to separate new and old and expose remnants and texture of an original brick fireplace. Internally, a carefully positioned bay box window catches the afternoon sun whilst providing the family with a lounging spot on the fringe of the busy kitchen. Externally, this element is treated as a fine steel armature plugged onto the existing sandstone walls.
Architect
Preston Lane
Consultants
Structural consultant – Gandy and Roberts
Photographer – Jonathan Wherrett
Building surveyor – Holdfast Consulting
Contractors
Builder – Cordwell Lane