New South Wales
This house has as its central organising principles two things; the established garden and the kitchen table. During the previous 20 odd years of occupation of this house by the clients those two elements were almost the same thing. The majority of meals were eaten at a large table in the garden, and though the brief was to provide a more all weather solution to dining there was also a desire to keep the connection and feel of being in the garden.
The design of this house has dual ambitions; to provide a quiet retreat for two busy professionals, and then at other times to welcome family and friends. Further, the house seeks to demonstrate a way of living that creates more gentle density in our established suburbs and to give an old house another couple of hundred years of useful life.
Our new home is the calm oasis we hoped for. Built carefully around our favourite palms, with views of the garden from every window, the design has respected and accentuated the features of our site that we most love.
Upstairs our bedroom feels like living in a tree house. Each night we watch the trees sway in the wind. Its most fun when our grandchildren are with us as we and we lie in bed watching the possums as they pass the window, listening as they play on our roof.
We are so happy here.
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
