Grace Park House

Heritage restrictions on this listed Federation home demanded careful consideration of the rear facade and its street presence. Context is seized as an opportunity rather than a constraint – the large-scale addition slips beneath the steep pitch of the existing roof, creating a dialogue between the distinct geometry of the old hip roof and the required volume of the new work. Affectionately named 'The Copper Stealth Bomber', the new architecture extracts maximum space by shifting and distorting under the existing structure whilst remaining unseen from the street. This establishes dual relationships: the demure front facade and dynamic rear elevation; the sensitive restoration of the front rooms and the expansive new spaces beyond. The existing house had suffered from poor renovations creating a labyrinth of forced, odd rooms.The rear of the building was carefully stripped seeking opportunities within the confines of the potential volume whilst maintaining the clear intention to open the building to the substantial rear garden and push north light deep into the plan. The front rooms were restored sympathetically with key adjustments – raising door openings to give new grandeur. The gallery acts as a spine framing views of the addition beyond. A recycled timber clad staircase hangs in a dynamic volume vertically connecting the new first floor. Materials are natural and robust with minimal applied surfaces. The completed spaces are resilient to the demands of a large family. This is a house designed to be lived in.