DETAILS
HOUSE Coburg Freeboard House
LOCATION Coburg, Vic
DATE COMMENCED September 2015
DATE COMPLETED February 2020
Old homes are filled with charm and memories, but they also have ageing materials, poor site planning and mismatched design styles. More often than not, it’s easier to knock it down and start again, and with no heritage-listed protections on this weatherboard Federation home, there was no reason why the homeowners couldn’t do exactly that. A testament to their character, the homeowners “recognised the importance of maintaining the old building’s contribution to the streetscape, as well as its value to the overall architectural history of their neighbourhood,” says director and project architect, Weian Lim, from WALA.
Purchasing the old house in 2015 with plans to do a full renovation, the homeowners wanted a family abode that would serve them long-term and provide dedicated spaces for both themselves and their two children. In order to tick all the boxes offtheir checklist, including preserving the residence’s Federation-style facade as well as flood zone requirements, some clever design was employed.
“The design was envisaged as three interconnected building forms demarcated by courtyards,” says Weian. “The new design takes advantage of the necessary difference in floor levels between the old and new buildings and underlines this separation by keeping bedrooms and utility spaces in the front and dedicating the shared family spaces in the new rear extension.”
This story is from the Issue #10.6 2022 edition of Grand Designs Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Issue #10.6 2022 edition of Grand Designs Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
SNAPSHOT
Create your own chill zone at home with some of these cosy winter set-ups
INSPIRATION
Gather some inspiration for your next landscape project
SMOOTH move
Curves reign supreme in this stylish kitchen
Eye to THE SKY
Like the phoenix rising from the ashes, this dated Victorian terrace has transformed into a stylish abode with an impressive roofline
LIGHT AND bright
Echoes of the past remain in this house that's built for making memories
BRICK WORKS
A 1920s brick warehouse pays homage to its rich and evocative past
LUXURY BY the beach
Sydney's iconic beachfront hotel, Manly Pacific, has undergone a major transformation, with design by leading Australian designer Coco Republic
JUST breathe...
In the noisy labyrinth of modern-day living, creating relaxing spaces that exude a sense of calm has never been more important
KATRINA MCKEON
Inspired by nature and obsessed with colour and texture, this artist's work is permeated with joy
SERENE SCENE
The wellness revolution has found its way into our bathrooms and powder rooms, creating beautiful calming spaces that rejuvenate the spirit and pique the imagination