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This renovation project has spanned several years and two different owners. It has been a process of continual improvement of an interesting 4-level freestanding house in Sydney's leafy Woollahra. The brief included refreshing the outdated exterior and interiors, improving the internal layout, addressing sun control and privacy, as well as circulation and functionality of the spaces. The existing aluminium doors and windows were retained but they received a new electro-plated finish to change them from burgundy to charcoal colour. All new furniture, fittings and lighting completed stage 1 of the project. Stage 2 is due to commence any day now and includes a new kitchen and an external 'great glass elevator'! Builder: Waller CorpJoiner: Powney Supreme Kitchens … [Read more...] about Woollahra House

This Sydney CBD penthouse apartment was completely stripped by builder Waller Corp before almost every surface was redesigned, refurbished or renewed. The result is a series of bright and airy spaces over two levels that suits this young professional family, complete with an internal slide, music and craft rooms, reading nooks and daybeds, a rooftop pool and outdoor dining and entertaining spaces. Builder: Waller Corp Joiner: Powney Supreme Kitchens Photography: Simon Murgatroyd … [Read more...] about Sydney Penthouse Apartment

This house in the Sydney suburb of Willoughby was completed in 2018. While technically a renovation, we chose to retain only the front facade and entry features of the original cottage. It is now a highly functional family home with 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, an office and various living areas. … [Read more...] about Willoughby House

This rural alpine house was completed in 2017. The brief dictated a substantial and uncompromised family home that was to be entirely off-grid. The challenge to design such a large house in an extreme climate, with extensive glazing and a demanding list of appliances and equipment, without mains water, electricity, sewer or gas, was substantial. The result is a mostly timber structure built to Passive House standards. The structure is air-tight and thoroughly insulated and an energy-recovery ventilation system ensures the controlled supply of fresh air year-round. Windows are triple-glazed with thermally-broken aluminium frames. Construction was flawlessly carried out by Rod & Monique from Baillie Building and their outstanding team of craftsmen. Thermal modelling, energy recovery ventilation and Passive House design advice was provided by Harley Truong of H3 Space in Canberra. Structural Engineering design: Paul Larkin of Grounded Engineering in Jindabyne. Kitchen, bathroom vanities and joinery: Supplied by Rob Pointon of Trubuilt Joinery in Pambula. Glazed windows and doors: Supplied by Viewco Glass. Photography: Douglas Frost. … [Read more...] about Snowy Mountains House

This house was completed in 2017 and is our third house within the Lake Crackenback resort. It is used as a holiday home for a family who enjoy skiing in the winter and mountain biking in the summer. The main house has 3 bedrooms. There is also an attached self-contained apartment which can be rented seperately, or opened up and used in conjunction with the house. It was superbly built by Jindabyne builder Simon Kuner. Builder: Simon Kuner. Photography: Douglas Frost. … [Read more...] about Lake Crackenback House #3

This was our first major project in the Snowy Mountains region, south of Canberra. Creating a big ‘wow factor’ was one of the main criteria, and we like to think we achieved that. We approached this house as if it were a sculpted object. It had to be a beautiful object that would look good from all angles if it were a sculpture sitting on your desk. The building had to be thoroughly engineered for the high winds and extreme temperatures experienced at the site. The house has 2 bedrooms and a loft upstairs, and a self contained one-bedroom apartment downstairs. Both areas have a cast concrete Japanese style hot tub, and we designed the custom shower system specifically for the apartment. The floors are polished concrete with in-slab hydronic heating. Materials are steel, granite, polished concrete, timber and copper. … [Read more...] about Lake Crackenback House #1

This lodge is our second commission within the Lake Crackenback Resort. It was designed to be highly compatible with our first design as they are located in close proximity. The dynamic roof peaks and the deck balustrades tilt towards the snow-capped Great Dividing Range, just a few kilometres away but 1,000m above in altitude. Construction is in masonry, steel and timber with structural elements and external materials chosen for their ability to withstand the fierce weather experienced at the site. 100km/hr winds are not uncommon, as are driving blizzards in the winter and 30 degree days in the summer. Extensive insulation and solar passive design minimises energy consumption. The building features a self-contained apartment with a loft space, and a 3 bedroom residence with large north and west facing living areas. A west-facing aspect is so important in this climate to catch the low afternoon sun in winter, and well designed eaves keep it shaded in summer. The Sydney-based client has a large family and this layout suits their needs and also maximises the holiday rental return. … [Read more...] about Lake Crackenback House #2

Our Melbourne-based client wanted to completely modernise and refurbish this 3 bedroom, 3-storey apartment in Thredbo. The interior was stripped bare by Rob Fraser of Bemergals Constructions, before being carefully pieced back together to Lance Workshop’s specifications. Lance Workshop revised the existing floorplan and designed a new kitchen, new bathrooms, modified the loft space and staircases, modified the fireplace, and designed storage and joinery units. We also specified and procured all new furniture, carpets, light fittings, fabrics, hardware, window coverings, and appliances. The interior is minimal yet inviting and warm, and the clients own collection of artworks add life and colour. … [Read more...] about Melaleuca Ski Lodge, Thredbo