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Blair Smith Architecture’s client originally commissioned this Caulfield North home back in 2005, when life looked a little different. She’s since had two sons, and partnered with a parent of two daughters — all of whom now live in the home.
The existing rendered brick two-storey house was functional (‘a no fuss, somewhat affordably home built in the 2000s’ in architect Blair Smith’s words), but not appropriate for a family of six nor the original owner, who operates her therapy practice from the property. The family required more bedrooms and quiet space conducive to the work and play, without diminishing coveted elements of the existing property, including views of the garden, good natural light, and mature trees.
Working in collaboration with Hecker Gurthie and Hyland Built, Blair Smith devised a refurbishment of the home’s upper level to add a second bedroom and larger bathroom for the girls, and an upgrade of the existing bedrooms and bathroom on the ground floor for the boys.
More space was still required, so Hecker Guthrie designed two new backyard buildings to accommodate an additional bedroom and studio, which were soon modified by Blair. He explains, ‘After engaging arborist Susan Luke of Treecology, we took the Hecker Guthrie concept plan and iterated on it, arriving on a plan where the buildings tapered and curved to respond to the tree protection zone required to preserve the significant golden elm tree in the middle of the yard.’
From an architectural perspective, Blair also wanted the new additions to recede into the garden as much as possible, hence their textured black timber cladding.
Preserving the golden elm was an ongoing challenge of the project, requiring a lightweight floor (no slab) with screw piles strategically set back from the tree roots of the elm to avoid damage. ‘Think several large oversized screws propping the building up,’ says Blair. ‘Susan, the arborist, was even on site advising when Hyland Built were screwing the piles in in the event we struck a root and required her advice.’
The main bedroom pod is connected to the house, while the art therapy studio stands alone, but both buildings maintain a relationship. Blair explains, ‘If the huge glass sliders are pushed aside, the two spaces become connected across the garden. Similarly, they can be shut down with the large timber screens, curtains and glazing if need be.
‘The studio being separate from the main house is also conducive to productivity, privacy, and creativity within that space. The owner’s clients can access the consultation space without going through the main house.’
The timber batten cladding on the new additions has been thermally modified — a process that changes the chemical structure of the wood — resulting in a more stable and durable material. ‘This involves heating the timber in a kiln at around 200 degrees using heat and steam,’ Blair says. ‘The result is a material with lower water absorbency and a reduction in organic content that makes wood decompose.’ The battens were then wire brushed, giving the timber a ‘micro texture’, before being individually stained black to achieve the desired receding effect.
Metal awnings and trims to the large openings add an additional layer of protection to the pods. ‘The sliding screens control light, mood and privacy within the new pavilions,’ says Blair. ‘Integrated within them are fly screens so the glass doors can be left open to naturally ventilate the spaces without pesky insects.’
Blair recently received a text message from the clients saying how much they appreciate sleeping with the large sliding door open and timber fly screen closed, enjoying the pest-free breeze and sounds of the garden. They’re grateful to live in a home that so thoughtfully accommodates their family and work lives, without needing to relocate from their much loved house.
Blair adds, ‘The project has benefitted from having free spirited clients that lead with positivity, and trust.’
