Renovation of a 60s dark and confined single level home into bright and modern living space

Architects: Look Interior Design
Location: Clovelly, Sydney, Australia
Year: 2014
Photo courtesy: Look Interior Design
Description:

“Design Brief

The original home was a very dark and confined single level 1960s semi. The site was well positioned to take in the surrounding beachside landscape and views but it was very poorly planned with limited indoor/outdoor orientation and the laundry was the only room with an ocean view!

My clients wanted me to add on an extra level and create a light filled, spacious 2 storey family home that maximised the available ocean views and accommodate their family of 4. They also requested a neutral colour palette with a beachside feel and durable materials and finishes to suit family living. They had a building budget of $600,000.

Design Solution

Downstairs all of the internal walls were removed and new windows and door openings were inserted into the existing ground floor external walls, to create as much light as possible whilst maintaining privacy. A raised timber deck was also added to facilitate indoor/outdoor orientation and maximise the available ocean views. Upstairs I created a first floor addition incorporating three large bedrooms, two bathrooms and front and rear balconies.

It was quite challenging to blend the new structures with the old, to ensure the home was sympathetic to the adjoining property but modernised. I wanted to retain the height of the original 3 metre (10 foot) ceiling downstairs, but somehow accommodate the plumbing and structural supports for the first floor. So rather than do a false lowered ceiling I formed the lowered sections as sculptural elements to emphasise the height of the areas we were able to retain.

Media Release Information

The owners of a very dark and confined single level 1960’s semi recruited Natalie Andersen of Look Design Group to transform their gloomy house into a spacious, bright and open family home. The site was well positioned to take in the surrounding beachside landscape and views but it was very poorly planned with limited indoor/outdoor orientation and the laundry was the only room with an ocean view. Downstairs all of the internal walls were removed and new windows and door openings were inserted, to create as much light as possible whilst maintaining privacy.

The new kitchen, built in dining and living areas all flow into each other to create sensuous, modern, open plan living spaces. A raised timber deck was added to facilitate indoor/outdoor orientation and maximise the available ocean views. A first floor addition incorporating three large bedrooms, two bathrooms and front and rear balconies.”