Rosie’s House is a beautiful 19th century home, nestled on a sloping site with incredible views. The renovation of this home aims to embrace and celebrate the original fabric of the house, while incorporating internal adjustments that improve the climatic orientation of living spaces, and suit the needs of busy family life.

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The original built fabric had been well preserved, so changes to the exterior of the house were kept to a minimum. The renovation primarily involved an internal reconfiguration, which relocated kitchen, living, dining and entertaining areas to the north-eastern side of the house, maximising natural light and summer breezes through the primary living spaces. While kitchen, living and dining spaces flow seamlessly, the proportions of the original rooms are sensitively referenced through existing high level walls, cabinetry, and changing pressed metal ceiling patterns.

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The original hallway forms the primary spine of the house, and is a threshold that connects public and private spaces. A large skylight and delicately framed staircase is parallel to the hallway, creating a secondary private spine and lightwell that provides natural light to downstairs living and service spaces.

 

Similarly to the built form, the material palette of Rosie’s House has been sensitively considered so that original and new elements are clearly defined. Internally, the home is filled with the warmth and texture of local hardwood, which contrasts the soft patterns of the original VJ walls and pressed metal ceilings.