North Balgowlah NSW
Australia
Overview
Sydney's Northern Beaches are peppered with similar timber-clad homes that have fallen into decay, either from owner neglect or countless unsympathetic renovations. The modest post-war homes were elegant in their simplicity and utility during their time- a contextual solution to housing for the people.
-33.7870297, 151.2517112
Structure
The redesign called for the removal of lean-to roofs at the front and rear of the property. The hip roof form was extruded at the back into an open gable roof form, with the roof profile flowing seamlessly from inside to the outside pergola. The open gable form brings a dramatic height and lightness internally, while giving the exterior a clean and confident roof line.
New forms are contrasted from existing using dark stained weatherboard cladding. Steel collar tie rods were chosen over timber as an architectural statement, but the gable rafters remain exposed within. The continuation of the vaulted ceilings from the dining room to the outdoor entertaining space, visually links the indoor and out.
Exterior
The renovation retains the classic hipped roof form over the living area, contrasting with the gabled pergola addition adjacent to it.
The vertical support for the blackbutt pergola is an expressed stud wall, left open for porosity, setting a rhythm and connection between house and garden. Blackbutt is a class 1 timber, so has excellent durability in exterior applications.
The Blackbutt pool deck and dining deck continue on seamlessly, stepping down to creating seating and connection to the garden
Interior
Hardy native blackbutt tongue and groove flooring was used throughout the house to create a warm tone under foot. The joinery picks up on the timber tones through the use of birch plywood kickers and joinery top rails.
Birch plywood was cut with a CNC router to profile custom doors. The perforated plywood creates a privacy screen for the ensuite that slides away neatly against the birch fronted wardrobes.
The birch plywood continues into the bathroom, with a mirrored cabinet and vanity also constructed from the material, providing warmth and texture against white tiles and paint
A custom blackbutt linear pendant light was installed about the dining table, echoing the blackbutt timber gables above.
