Westbourne Cottage
Prahran | 2020
Type
Interior Design, Residential
Team
Steve Woo, Kate Hatherley, Jessica Coulter, Domenic Cerantonio, Chris Stribley
A Victorian single-fronted cottage, this modest family home is sited in the heart of Hawksburn Village. This dense pocket of the inner city provides a plethora of opportunities for families to breathe new life into the little row houses, set out in uniform, verdant streets. Predictably the design hinges on demolishing the rear half of this house, preserving and renewing the quaint façade and front rooms. The larger, newer extension is a much more abstract and sculptural form that is crisp, but not cold and addresses the laneway with a private yet friendly timber façade.
Using timber battens to create the angled fascia, the light plays on the two planes, and for a second tricks the eye. Timber used in this abstract way together with the glass at ground level, is an appropriate link to the original materials of the house and while the aesthetic is contemporary it still retains a softness. Practically, the expanded floor plan has allowed for a ubiquitous open kitchen and living area, opening to a deck and plunge pool with added accommodation upstairs. A lot has been designed into this intimate site, creating a space which is versatile and dynamic, and is an expression of the clients’ eclectic individualism.
Design Response
The subject site is in Prahran. Site is currently single storey residence
Demolish rear existing buildings, boundary fences and clear landscaping. Retain the primary building volume at the front of the house due to heritage overlay.
Site envelope realized with 2 storey residential building footprint.
Setbacks on the western boundary reducing overshadowing on adjoining properties and setback to eastern boundary preserving primary building volume and reducing visibility from Westbourne Street.
Two segments have been removed along the upper level and one on the ground level of the southern boundary to further eliminate shadowing to the adjoing properties, and to ensure the internal amenities next door are not compromised.
Reduce height of the addition to futher reduce the overshadowing of the southern adjoining property and visibility from the street.
The roof has then been raked back on both sides to reduce the visual bulk from the access lane, street and reduce the overshadowing on adjoining properties. Section on the ground floor southern boundary pushed down to allow more light to the neighbour's windows.
Final articulation and detailing are proposed with a high level of finish. Timber and metal cladding, brick and concrete are the prevailing materials.
Cera Stribley
Architecture and Interior Design
Address
Melbourne: Studio 5 – 249 Chapel St, Prahran VIC 3081
Contact
info@cs-a.com.au +613 9533 2582
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