The original shop house had numerous modifications over the years. Although small in footprint, the building contained 3 separate entries to the street and was riddled with dark and disjointed rooms. The principal strategy entailed the reinvigoration of the plan, including a study, bedrooms and bathrooms, around a central sky-lit stairwell in order to bring light into the depth of the home.

Beyond the shop house, the new addition required a simpler internal program. A generous living and meals area looks onto an intimate landscaped courtyard on the ground floor.

Around the corner from the open plan area, the sunken reading nook accompanies a reflective pond, offering a chance for respite and quiet contemplation. An expansive master suite is located on the floor above.

The surrounding neighbourhood inspired the project’s richly nuanced material palette. The honesty of the rendered shop-house elevation is paired with the contemporary addition’s off-white natural cement render.

Internally, the rendered walls complement an off-form concrete ceiling and raw metalwork. Feature stonework, stack bond oak parquetry flooring and natural oak veneer panels provide a warmth and finer grain detail, linking the home’s heritage rooms with the contemporary spaces.