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Sunwell House by Kuzman Architecture is exactly what its name suggests: a sun-filled home that feels inviting all year round. However, this wasn’t always the case.
The homeowners purchased this Victorian heritage home with the intention to renovate. While it was in good condition with a decent sized floor plan, an early 2000s west-facing rear addition meant the living spaces lacked spatial definition, character and weren’t filled with natural light.
They enlisted Kuzman Architecture to refresh their abode by creating clearly defined living zones, and reorienting the way the house engaged with sunlight.
Sandy Kuzman worked to transform the space into a visually uplifting and thermally efficient home, that also incorporated the owners’ love of colour.
‘Rather than pursuing extensive demolition and rebuilding, the design sought to work intelligently within the existing footprint and structure,’ Sandy explains.
The original front three bedrooms were retained along with the home’s heritage cornices, skirtings, ceiling roses and doors. Sandy worked within the structure of the house to re-order its rear layout to bring sunlight into these living areas. This was done without compromising any insulation, a feat managed by installing double glazed windows.
‘The primary living spaces were effectively “swivelled” towards the north, allowing them to capture more consistent and comfortable natural light throughout the day,’ Sandy explains.
‘While the clients desired bright, open living spaces, careful design measures were required to mitigate excessive afternoon heat gain and improve overall environmental performance.’
Taking inspiration from the Light Turrets in Steven Holl’s Studio T2, Sandy carved light wells into the existing ceiling to illuminate each section of the house.
‘Rather than altering the roofline dramatically, these interventions create moments of height, light and surprise within the living spaces,’ Sandy explains.
These changes invited sun and warmth into areas of the home that were previously lacking, in some cases, too much. To address this, a series of sculptural battened pergolas were added to wrap the exterior and filter any harsh afternoon light.
‘As the garden matures, the pergolas will evolve into living shade structures, enhancing thermal comfort while strengthening the home’s connection to nature,’ Sandy says.
The new design subtly separates the kitchen, dining and living areas to allow the homeowners and their daughter to have their own space when entertaining while still feeling a sense of connection.
A shaded patio and workshop-style garage were also added to the rear of the house, reducing the space of the original backyard but allowing for more opportunity to engage with the outdoors.
The home’s renewed warm aesthetic continues through its interior decor and a built-in joinery that’s lined with books, photos, and personally collected items.
Kuzman Architecture transformed Sunwell House from a disjointed, dark space into a light-filled, welcoming home with a layout that organically flows!
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