The Brick Aperture House designed by Kreis Grennan Architecture is a transformation of a single storey house in Petersham, Sydney. The property is nestled on a small lot and introduces itself as a freestanding cottage forming a pair with an identical neighbour in a row, bookended by a commercial building and a car park. The contemporary pavilion has been added with an articulated link to heritage cottage that preserves its Federation-style period features while providing a historic value of Sydney’s Inner West past. Let’s take a look..
“Within this context, our brief was to provide considerably additional floor space and amenities for the existing residents. Our design response protected the main volume at the front of the existing house with four traditional rooms. The addition is connected with an articulated link under the gutter revealing the connection through a series of skylights. Through strategic placement of glazing, the new volume edits a beautiful view back to a historic sewer chimney stack, in line with three chimneys of the existing dwelling. On the opposite side, the occupant experiences a brick framed aperture, opening to the trees extending from the surrounding context.” – Kreis Grennan Architecture
A new bathroom, laundry, kitchen and dining area with a double-storey void over can be found on the ground floor. While an open studio space with ensuite overlooking the dining space, rear garden and trees is positioned above on a mezzanine level. The greenery that stands in the rear garden provides a pleasant outlook and shelter from the summer sun.
The bricks and concrete slab that were utilised on the new rear volume provide significant thermal mass, which assists the occupants to control the temperature variation in summer and winter. In addition to the natural ventilation, a mechanical air exhaust system can be used to expel excessive heat on the upper level.
“The double-storey boundary walls are constructed of local recycled bricks. The internal painted brick walls provide material and colour continuity with the existing dwelling while clearly identifying the new addition. The external walls are face brick with a delicate tapered edge, framing the new building volume at the rear and creating a dialogue with the period houses and the heritage structures of the surrounding neighbourhood, celebrating the tradition of masterful brick craftsmanship in Sydney.” – Kreis Grennan Architecture
The Brick Aperture House project by Kreis Grennan Architecture gives importance to the craftsmanship involved in the original structure and brought back its dignity while incorporating modern aesthetics and functionality.
House Project: Brick Aperture House
Architect: Kreis Grennan Architecture
Location: Petersham, Australia
Type: Renovation
Photographer: Michael Nicholson
This looks excellent, have you a puce of the floor plan to share please.