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New Town House

New Town House is an old Colonial villa built in 1842. Included on the Tasmanian Heritage Register, its owners are passionately committed to its restoration and maintenance. This project presented the opportunity to achieve this by subtly altering and upgrading existing parts of the house, ensuring that any new insertion was discernible, yet respectful. During its 174-year life, the residence has undergone a series of alterations and extensions, including the enveloping of an adjacent cottage. This had created a disconnect between the formal and private wings of the house, with an internalised and gloomy stair void, living spaces with little access to private garden space or direct sunlight and no internal access to upper floor attic rooms. A small roof terrace addition and ground level sunroom extension evolved from identified design opportunities. To the benefit of the project, the clients were part of the design team, integrating their own personalities and artwork into the joinery, spaces and material selections. Thanks to a philosophy of ‘repair and retain’ versus ‘replace or cover up,’ as well as a fastidious and understanding builder, the completed project has ensured a unique piece of Hobart’s history lives on as a comfortable family home.

Architect

IDW Architecture + Interiors

Contractors

Jackman Builders

Consultants

Structural engineer – JSA Consulting Engineers

Building surveyor – Pitt & Sherry

Photographer

Thomas Moore

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