UP PERISCOPE
A retractable, periscope-style extractor was installed above the hob in the kitchen to ensure air remains fresh in the open plan living/dining/kitchen space on the first floor
SIMON’S ADVICE
“Make sure you have a good working
relationship with your architect. It can be a long, tough process and the right architect will make it a positive experience.”
facing the view,” says Rianna.
Working within the exact footprint of the original bungalow and designing for the narrow, sloping site, she admits the project was a challenge: “It took quite a long time, and Phil and I experimented a lot with the design until we were happy, changing some details multiple times because we wanted everything absolutely perfect to meet Simon’s expectations. It had to be really crisp.”
The site stands on a hill, which rises up roughly three metres from the rear to the front of the plot, west to east. The new design proposal took account of the sloping nature of the plot and reduced the overall height of the first design, which had been approved back in 2007 and consisted of a pitched roof approximately 1.7 metres taller than the latest application. “We positioned the house further away from a neighbouring property on the ground floor, where there are glazed openings, allowing the first floor of the design to protrude out, improving the outlook to the rear without limiting neighbours’ views,” explains Rianna. Visually, the new house could not be more different from its predecessor. Angular and minimal, the linear design exudes a pared-back masculinity, with two main rectangular forms on the front facade – one vertical and one horizontal – cantilevering out over the garage almost to the existing building line of the neighbouring property.
These letterbox-like forms are inset at different planes and are joined by a recessed glass link,
november/december 2019
which accentuates the main entrance to the house. White render and contrasting pale grey cladding further define the building’s lines and echo other contemporary houses in the area. This style is replicated to the rear of the house, with an L-shaped element outlining a large glazed area. First floor glazing consists of four main panels: two fixed at either end, with two sliding central doors opening onto a Juliet balcony.
The L-shaped white frame protrudes out further than the glazing by 0.5 metres to serve as ‘blinkers’ and prevent overlooking into neighbours’ gardens. To respect neighbours’ privacy, there are no windows to the first floor side elevations facing neighbouring properties to the north and west.
“Rianna and Phil encouraged me to pull together ideas to share on a Pinterest board, and almost all the houses I preferred were white rendered and angular, with flat roofs,” explains Simon.
“The house designs came from all around the world, but saving them together on a Pinterest board showed common themes, which Rianna then worked into her own design. Everything was tailored to my preferences rather than what she thought I should have.”
The existing driveway remained in the same position, allowing vehicles to access straight from the road, and an accessible path and a level threshold to the entrance door avoid the need for steps and improve disabled access. “Western Design Architects were great to
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