Project Overview
RACHCOFF VELLA ARCHITECTURE has opted for an unconventional response to the inner-city vernacular.
The typical brief when renovating an inner-city terrace house is; keep the facade and two front rooms for heritage, knock off the back and start again. With a tight budget and timeline Rachcoff Vella Architecture (RVA) took a more innovative approach with this St Kilda pad. Working within the existing envelope, RVA transformed the dark and awkward investment property into a light-filled, spacious home.
Project Commissioner
C/- RACHCOFF VELLA ARCHITECTURE
Project Creator
Team
TONY VELLA - ARCHITECT
ALEX NANOPOULOS - ARCHITECTURAL DRAFTSMAN
Project Brief
This project’s limitations are, in fact, its most desirable elements. At the very centre of the building, where a courtyard once stood, the slick, white kitchen and adjoining living room bridge the transition from the original facade to the contemporary rear addition.
With the two original bedrooms at the front and the new master bedroom at the very rear, not only have two ‘wings’ been formed for this professional couple and their growing family, but the inclusion of two bathrooms makes this small house a sizable and spacious three-bedroom home.
Project Need
Every element of this renovation has been considered for its flexibility. With flexible design comes flexible living; in the kitchen a precisely proportioned bench on castors can either stand as an island bench in the centre of the kitchen or sit flush against the wall when more space is required.
The hallway to the rear courtyard intercepts the master bedroom and can either be shut off by a cavity sliding door to become part of the master bedroom, or used as a thoroughfare with a gauzy sheer curtain drawn to create a visual divide between the two spaces. This house is a genuine example of how, as we reevaluate the size of our homes, we are opening ourselves up to innovate how we design spaces and the way we live.
Design Challenge
The greatest challenge of this project was accommodating the clients’ brief within a limited budget and very tight time frames, together with very strict heritage guidelines to follow.
This was achieved by utilising the existing structure and building footprint to even include three bedrooms and two bathrooms making it a sizable home for a young family in a confined urban context.
Sustainability
By maintaining the existing structure and built footprint we were able to reduce the embodied energy of a new building and by working with existing elements, such as the fireplace that became a TV niche, resulted in limited demolition and salvaging of existing built elements.
In addition a significant insulation upgrade, a solar hot water system and energy efficient fixtures and fittings lifted this workers cottage to 21st century energy standards.
Interior Design - Residential
This award recognises building interiors, with consideration given to space creation and planning, furnishings, finishes and aesthetic presentation. Consideration given to space allocation, traffic flow, building services, lighting, fixtures, flooring, colours, furnishings and surface finishes.
More Details