Brief: To sub-divide a driveway off an existing terrace home and design a new three bedroom home for a couple wanting a tree change in the Southern Highlands and a bolt-hole in the city to live part time when visiting their adult children.
Challenges: Considering the the configuration of spaces on the narrow 3.6m wide site, whilst allowing for natural light, outlook, privacy and many moments of beauty and relief from the surrounding urban build-up.
Solutions: A stair that winds through the centre of the house, commences as part of the living room joinery, then ducks and weaves over and around two bathrooms, providing access to two first floor bedrooms and then continuing to an attic level, the third bedroom / guest room. Atop of the stair is a glass roof which is strategically sized and oriented to flood the interiors with daylight through the year. An internal courtyard provides the compact kitchen with a sense of relief as well as alfresco dining. A lounge with planted roof to the rear connects occupants seamlessly to a green retreat.
Highlights: Working with a challenging site of non-typical proportions; i.e. long and very narrow. Being creative about how to move between rooms on different levels efficiently and intuitively.
