The clients for Newport House had a growing family and required room to accommodate their recently arrived members on a strictly limited budget. The project brief specified that the character of the existing timber house was largely retained, whilst extending the dwelling further into the rear yard with a contemporary addition of natural materiality, clean lines and of a neat, compact arrangement. Natural light to the existing dwelling was to be improved, and connection to the rear yard was to be emphasized. The primary challenge of the Newport House was in seeking a spatial arrangement that minimized additional building footprint and therefore building cost, whilst giving the clients vastly improved living conditions and a high standard of architectural finish at a reasonable cost. The character of the existing dwelling was dominated by the wide entry and central hallway. We felt that this element was best to be emphasized and extended through to the rear yard, framing a long, uninterrupted view straight through to the addition and beyond from the moment one steps through the front door. A new skylight into this existing central hallway, and a further skylight into a new spacious bathroom over a freestanding bath, added much needed natural light and drama to the re-purposed spaces contained within the existing dwelling. The cramped existing family bathroom was converted into a modestly sized but elegantly styled ensuite for the master bedroom. The new addition at the rear of the existing dwelling was placed at ground level, stepped down from the existing timber floor to land on polished concrete. This clearly delineated the existing architectural character from that of the new, and enhanced the connection to the rear yard. Furthermore, over-sized sliding doors were implemented to aid in zoning off spaces for leisure & rest, children & adult, loud & quiet, old & new. The notionally extended wide hallway of the existing dwelling is lined to the north with large glazed openings, continuously curtained to mitigate natural light and privacy. To the south of this axis, the space opens into an open plan kitchen, dining and living space, subtly delineated by ceiling finish & level changes. A new laundry is discreetly tucked away behind new timber lined kitchen joinery.
