Sometimes a home becomes like an archaeological dig-lots of different components, layers of time, various ideas. Not all of them good.
A great location with views towards the water over a parkland, great block size and a comfortably sized family home, it is somewhat let down buy the combined efforts of various additions and modifications over the years seemingly without a clear vision of the whole is what the owners of this home in Drummoyne have. Living areas face due north, without shade. Floor plan amenity is somewhat squeezed in with a kitchen that has spread into the dining area. There is no area of the home that reflects the comfortable size of the site.
Views are also not connected with, openings and proportions are out of scale.
All of that aside, it is still a large comfortable family home. It just could be so much better, more befitting of its location.
Our core response has been to the natural aspects of the site is an embrace of garden, views, natural light and shade. Internally creation of new living areas, improved views with reworked windows and doors, and internal natural light sharing will improve ease and comfort.
Externally, a contemporary rear addition connects with comfortable spaces, covered access to car parking, a pool area, new fence treatment and extensive reworking of the front facade is part of the holistic response, removing the cumulative road blocks of previous enthusiastic owners.
Materials are chosen to work with the existing cottage, aesthetics and efficiency of construction. Passive low energy principles are part of the design brief with allowance also being made for active environmental systems such as on-ste water storage, earth coupling, insulation, cross flow ventilation, shading and photovoltaics (solar panels)
New balcony works include new, safer handrail detail and taller doors with new sidelights.Uncomfortable projections on ground and first floor have been transformed into bay windows to embrace the water and park views. No shading is required as they face due south. Modified front fence with sandstone capping and rubble render.
Pool adjoins dining area. This will be shaded with a fixed mesh screen to provide safety to the glass of the dining and also external window shading
Lounge looking towards kitchen and dining areas.
Highlight windows provide an opportunity to ventilate the roof. External verandah provides well needed shade to the north