Architecture

An Awe-Inspiring Heritage Renovation

A drive through the Australian suburbs can be enlivened by a game of ‘spot the add on renovation.’ A bingo of pop-tops!

The York Street Residence by Jackson Clements Burrows extends the typology of the addition, in a heritage context. The architects weave connection between old and new through innovative brickwork and clever material application.

Written
by
Miriam McGarry

The York Street House by Jackson Clements Burrows. Photo – Derek Swalwell.

Brick and concrete in the York Street House living room. Photo – Derek Swalwell.

A hint of the ‘hit and miss’ brickwork in the courtyard. Photo – Derek Swalwell.

The new extension makes clever use of the space available. Photo – Derek Swalwell.

The sculptural staircase is a key feature of this stunning home. Photo – Derek Swalwell.

The ‘hit-and-miss’ brickwork connects the pre-existing building with the new extension. Photo – Derek Swalwell.

An arresting angle at the York Street Home. Photo – Derek Swalwell.

A subdued material palette has been used throughout the home. Photo – Derek Swalwell.

A study nook makes use of an interstitial space between levels of the home. Photo – Derek Swalwell.

A brightly lit kitchen, balanced with black cabinetry. Photo – Derek Swalwell.

Kitchen details for the York Street House. Photo – Derek Swalwell.

Sharp lines the the bathroom. Photo – Derek Swalwell.

Bathroom details in the York Street House. Photo – Derek Swalwell.

Photo – Derek Swalwell.

A clean and serene bedroom, with details of the grid brickwork illuminating the space. Photo – Derek Swalwell.

A clever new addition. Photo – Derek Swalwell.

Writer
Miriam McGarry
22nd of February 2019

The York Street Residence by Jackson Clements Burrows takes a joyful approach to the classic ‘pop-top’ or ‘box on the back’ suburban renovation. Architect Rob Majcen explains the design as a ‘nimble and sensitive response’ to the heritage context, as well as facilitating new and highly liveable spaces for the owners to inhabit.

Rob describes the client brief as ‘expansive and challenging’, but an opportunity that the architects fully embraced. The architects followed the form of the existing gables of the heritage building, and creating a glazed link between the old and new addition. This link is peppered with ‘hit-and-miss’ brickwork, that carries the heritage materials into the contemporary section.

The ambitious plans were accommodated by introducing a sunken living space in the rear of the site, exploiting the potential of the site’s significant fall. From here, a sculptural staircase invites the occupants up to a landing study nook, ‘set under a folding origami timber-lined ceiling.’ The first floor contains bedrooms and a bathroom that are illuminated by a full length skylight.

Rob emphasises the mindset of the clients in facilitating this ambitious and striking design. He explains ‘the client was fixated on value rather than cost, which allowed a flexible approach to decision making.’ This willingness to invest in quality design has resulted in an architectural outcome that transcends an excel spreadsheet!

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