Kensington Palace

Kensington, Australia

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Kensington Palace

Kensington, Australia

Firm

Nic Owen Architects

Type

Residential › Private House

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2015

SIZE

1000 sqft - 3000 sqft

BUDGET

$100K - 500K

Photos

nic (3)

A renovation and extension to the rear of a Victorian cottage in Kensington, Victoria Australia.

The owner, a single professional loved her charming 2 bedroom cottage but found the spaces dark, tired and basically in need of repair.
A neighbouring 2 storey extension compromised her privacy to the rear living spaces and the backyard, effectively reducing the usability of the property.
A small 1970’s sun-room extension was removed and replaced with a black steel and glass small extension. Large picture frame windows supply light and outlook to the existing structure.
A new timber deck extends the living space and wraps up over the boundary fence to create a unique privacy screen.
This folding / wrapping theme is continued inside with joinery bench-tops rising vertically in the new kitchen, bathroom and laundry.
A landscaped rear backyard oasis featuring native Western Australian vegetation provides a truly private relaxing space for the owner to enjoy and connect with her Perth routes.
Whilst the total footprint of the house has actually been reduced the owner now titles her dwelling ‘Kensington Palace’ a reference to the perceived abundance of space and light along with the elevated standard of amenities.

Achieving elegance via modesty

With thoughtful design and a rigorous review of the owner’s requirements, a great build need not be large, costly and excessive to achieve an elegant fitting outcome.
By challenging and identifying the ‘wants’ from the ‘needs’ a better understanding can be realised and lead to a more focussed and cost effective outcome.
A larger space was not required but a better use of space, privacy and a connection to the outdoors was important. The renovation and extension works replace a larger but inefficient building with a smaller but smarter space.
Filled with natural light, great access to the landscaped garden and the abundance of borrowed views from neighbouring vegetation this new extension adds modern life to a tired Victorian cottage

KEY FEATURES
■ Privacy from the 2 storey neighbour achieved with a unique vertical extension of the timber deck wrapping up and over the boundary fence line.
■ Privacy oasis with native Australian vegetation
■ Sympathetic response to neighbourhood character
■ Integrity of historic house and details retained
■ Original period streetscape retained
■ Maximisation of daylight and cross ventilation
■ Strong connection with outdoors
■ Extensive use of natural finishes & recycled materials
■ Low maintenance finishes
■ Modest sized living creating a large sense of space
■ Restricted material and colour pallet

ARCHITECTS STATEMENT

My aim for this project was to create a modern extension which addresses the client’s requirements, of updated amenities and privacy whilst challenging the excessive nature of a typical build.

The project was a great opportunity to explore the notion of constraint, restricted size, texture and material to create an enticing, relaxing private space. With spaces working smarter I enjoyed challenging the idea of excess.