Constructed circa 1829 from locally quarried sandstone and convict bricks, the stable began its life as a modest outbuilding to Goulburn Street’s Bull’s Head Inn. Originally a home for horses, the nine metre by five metre footprint was built for purpose and economy; the ground floor accommodated four stalls and the 45 degree pitched roof allowed for generous loft storage. Although modest in size (a mere 62 square metres) the stable is rich in history, texture and olfactory delights. Our approach was quite simple – to retain as much of the existing building fabric as possible. Where services and amenity were required we provided new insertions. It was important that all new work read differently to the existing; by doing so, and like in any good relationship, the past and the present have space to breathe. We fell in love with the gabled volume. In such a small space it was important to preserve the feeling of height and exaggerate it by making the adjacent spaces lower. Working within the original envelope and our humble budget we used volume, outlook and a clear material strategy to define spaces and encourage variety and play.
Architect
workbylizandalex
Consultants
Structural consultant – Aldanmark
Photographer – Bek Verrier
Photographer – Matt Sansom
Heritage consultant – Peter Spratt
Building surveyor – Kim Eagling
Contractors
Builder – Cordwell Lane
Project manager – Mick Lane
Project manager – Neil Richards
Site foreman – Andrew Hilder