Complementing substantial internal renovations, this hovering, custom laminated plywood pergola provides sun protection, weather protection and generous filtered day light.
This extension and renovation, whilst modest in size provides a new kitchen, bathroom, laundry and living areas which – despite the heritage respectability of the original house – were barely serviceable previously.
Design Response
The cross section of the typical lean to outhouse was used to give form to the cantilevered plywood pergola blades which hang from a cantilevered beam propped on a single corner column over the north facing deck. Covered with translucent roofing to the north and open to the side it provides sun protection, weather protection and generous filtered day light whilst cutting out glare. The retractable bi-fold glazing system to the perimeter allows the visual extension of a modestly sized living area during colder weather and the doubling of real usable living area during warmer conditions.
A new ceiling tilts upward from its springing point beneath the existing stair landing and sits in counterpoint to the geometry of the new skillion roof form to give subtle definition to the kitchen/dining/living area through changes in ceiling height and form. Internally, white walls and ceilings are set against blackbutt timber flooring and light and dark timber veneer to the joinery – Sycamore and Walnut respectively.
Externally, raw compressed cement sheeting, natural anodised aluminium and charcoal painted steel are placed against oiled timber decking – which is repeated in the ceiling as it joins the existing house – and the hovering, custom laminated plywood pergola blades with bright red highlights which articulate these at their connection points on the cantilevered beam and against the fire rated boundary wall. Landscape treatment is minimal with brick paving to the rear gate set within a small sea of bush gravel and one signature rock, a battle scarred by product of the excavations required for the new ground floor slab.
Curtain Street Extension Design Specifications
Services Provided
Full Services
Architect
Workshop Architecture
People
Project Director: James Staughton Project Team: James Staughton, Peter Knight, Michael Roper Photographer: Shannon McGrath
Date completed
March 2013
Location
Carlton North, Victoria
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