BURSARIA PROJECT

BRIEF:
Full renovation of post modern style home. Add garage/roof terrace. New staircase and kitchen. Open kitchen and living space to the back of the house and create a connection to the outside entertaining area. New back deck and patio leading down to a proposed pool complex, utilising the natural gradient of the land. Add garage and access to the downstairs area. create new spaces from the old garage and utility spaces downstairs to include a new study, laundry and bathroom and powder room as well as two new usable utility spaces plus a bike shed with its own access. Small reworks of the upstairs bedrooms and the installation of a laundry chute completes this family-friendly renovation.

Light was immediately identified as the driving force behind this design. As with most designs, light is a crucial element in the design process. The question always being asked is in my head is "how do I get more light into these areas?" When converting spaces partly underground with no windows, out-of-the-box design ideas were imagined, with elements such as a glass panel in the upper floor to bring light down into the downstairs space which has no other source of natural light. Using skylights in the pitch of the roof over the kitchen and installing large bifold doors from the kitchen to the new deck and outside patio area, brings light into every corner and results in a well lit kitchen space. Large picture fixed glass windows in the stairwell to the deck pushes light down into the new stairwell. A floor to ceiling fixed glass window in the hallway overlooking the stairs borrows light from the window opposite at the top of the stairs. This light also filters down to help naturally light some of the downstairs area. Skylights are also introduced to the garage roof to infuse light into the study/entry to downstairs and with the study being mostly glazed - that light again directs into the downstairs space.

Building a new garage from scratch, gave the unique opportunity to create a roof terrace on top of the garage roof with access through new french doors from bedroom 2 and 3. With a wall and planter box on one side and continuing with walling or glass balustrading on the other, the roof terrace is a great place for kids to play in an outside space or an extra living/chill out space.