Perched atop a gentle slope, overlooking a humble lake, a heritage-designated Mock Tudor home rests. Half-hidden in the trees, inserted between neighbors, it’s frontage orients towards the lake, rather than the street. Entering the property along a cobbled walk, the house reveals a subtle grandeur; the existing half-timber trim, shingling and stucco have all been replaced or repaired, fully restoring the exterior of the existing house. Before entering, only hints of the modern addition reveal themselves; subtly formed from local limestone and thermally modified ash, articulated volumes reach gently towards the water at the rear.
Once inside, the transformation is immediate; a new interior atrium and central “catwalk” stair of wood and steel are introduced. A structural ring beam and skylight at the roof ridge washes the entire interior of the house with sky. This, a welcome evolution from the previous labyrinthian arrangement of cellular spaces and little opportunity for permeating natural light.
Within the walls of the existing house, rooms flank the perimeter of the feature stair, echoing closely the arrangement of the original plans, providing privacy, and allowing for unique approaches to be implemented in harmony with program requirements, site orientation, and heritage features of the existing architecture.
The ground floor is where the connection between existing and new is most direct.
Passing through the wall of roman brick–and the olive tree–the eyes are drawn forward rather than up; the lake beyond is revealed as the rear addition appears to dissolve into the landscape. Here, the layout of spaces opens, forming a connected space for living, dining, and cooking. The articulation of the rear massing, along with thoughtful openings, allow for diffuse light to enter the space throughout the day, in all seasons.
Team:
Architects: Shean Architects
Photographer: James Brittain
