The original suburban mid-century house was full of character externally with subtle brick details and delicate steel windows but spatially constricted internally with a disconnected four square plan and dull plaster everywhere.  We sought to make a characterful interior commensurate with its exterior while extending using the original building blocks which continued to feel fresh and modern sixty years after their construction.

The plaster was stripped from the newly connected rear rooms while the floor was dropped to garden level giving these spaces renewed texture and spatiality. The extended rooms continued these airy feelings with crisp plaster caps over textured painted brick.

At the heart of the ‘new’ house we placed a sun trapping courtyard garden - an external room really - that extended the living spaces outdoors.  The south wall of this courtyard room frames the lengthy garden beyond as a framed view - even from outside to outside - is always more compelling than an expansive view.

Completed 2018