This project involved the retention and restoration of a four roomed 1910’s Federation workers cottage and addition of a new contemporary designed two level rear addition linked to the original building by an internal courtyard and glazed stairwell.

This planning configuration opens up the rooms of the cottage to provide natural light and ventilation and a visual division between the old and new.

The new rear wing includes an open plan, living / dining / kitchen on the lower level and three bedrooms, and bathrooms on the upper level that link to a playroom in the cottage attic. The living areas extend onto a covered rear deck with operable louvered roof and fabric blinds facilitating outdoor living.

A small tiled pool and well-designed rear garden with vegie patch are bookended between the new rear wing and a new double garage accessed off the rear laneway.

A contemporary pavilion and floating timber box are discretely juxtaposed against a carefully revived grand federation locally listed heritage house in Mosman.

The ground floor entry, living and outdoor areas flow seamlessly from the rooms of the original home opening up to covered outdoor areas, rear lawn and swimming pool.

The garden setting contributes to the streetscape character and locally listed neighbourhood, the grandeur of the original residence has been retained and enhanced.

To the rear, the timber box floats over the main living space supported on steel blades. The box is concealed behind existing terracotta tile roof of the original house when viewed from the street. Skylights intersect the junction between the original hipped roof and modernist box, allowing light to penetrate the centre of the plan, passing through voids in the first floor. High level ribbon windows below the box balance the light in the main living spaces.

A beautiful federation house had been encased in successive ad-hoc additions with its original grand proportions carved into a warren of dark, uninviting and unconnected spaces. The house presents a single storey to the street and extends down the slope to provide three levels facing west. The design challenge was to reveal the original elegance of the old house, to make connection to the distant garden and to open out to the views beyond.

Incorporating a ‘gallery of light’, the design solution connects the original grand rooms to a Loggia on the upper level, open to the view and the garden. This retains light and ventilation to the formal rooms while respecting them as discrete and original spaces.

A wide new sun-lit staircase improves access to the lower levels and at the base of the house, private outdoor spaces are grouped around terraces, a pool and generously landscaped gardens.