The internal alterations to this Federation Style home in Sandy Bay recognized the importance of the retention of significant original features while understanding the clients expectations' for a contemporary minimalist overhaul. The original layout consisted of a short formal entry connecting a central passage from which all rooms were connected. Natural light was almost completely absent from the centre of the original layout and the kitchen located in the southern rear room felt disconnected from the front Living and Dining spaces. Demolition of existing brick walls to the kitchen and central hall area provided a better connection to the formal front rooms and drew natural light into the heart of the house. This effectively turned a tight rear circulation hall into a much larger open space for the new kitchen to engage, and provided views through the house to the north over established gardens and beyond to the Derwent River. A dropped ceiling over the new kitchen space was deliberately stopped short of the old walls allowing a rebated skylight to wash natural light into the space and acknowledge the distinction between old and new. Other walls were partially demolished and replaced by heavy sliding doors to facilitate an open style of living with the added ability to zone off spaces depending on the client's needs and heating requirements. The brief also required the refurbishment of the bathroom spaces. The main bathroom located at the end of the central passage was small and underutilized (primarily due to

its appearance). The clients discussed turning this into an ensuite for the Master bedroom, which was located adjacent to it at the rear of the house. The outcome was to first relocate the Master bedroom to the existing spare bedroom, (which overlooked the garden and water) and relocate its entry away from the main entry into the house to be adjacent to the bathroom, allowing greater connection between all bedrooms and the bathroom. The bathroom was then enlarged by extending it within the envelope of the existing bullnose verandah. Its glazed end is recessive against the existing house externally and provides an outlook from within. The rear bathroom and laundry area has also been refurbished with additional storage provided behind flush paneled 2 pak doors, and the study has been reconfigured to provide a more economical use of space. A pull down stair to access the roof space completes the picture providing all important storage. The new works have transformed the entire house. They have been kept minimal in nature and colour, and alignments of existing features have been maintained throughout, allowing the existing detail of the house to remain primary and ensure they are not undermined. The off white walls and picture rails allow the timber ceiling to shine, while the steel trowelled concrete hearths allow the fireplaces to not be dominated by pattern. This encourages one to engage with what is happening outside the window, a part of the house which was previously forgotten in the house's former life.