Vaucluse Residence

THE BRIEF

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Adapt an existing residence to suit a new family brief, including additional rooms, improved living spaces, more car parking, stronger outlook and greater privacy.

The landscape also needed to become a meaningful part of the home rather than leftover space around a large footprint.

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THE PLANNING TEST

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The existing house contained fragmented, darker rooms and a complex internal arrangement.

Additional accommodation at upper levels required the circulation strategy to be reconsidered, while existing built areas and elevated outdoor spaces limited the amount of genuine garden available at ground level.

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THE MOVE

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The internal circulation was reconsidered first, allowing the stair to serve the enlarged program more efficiently.

Existing structural elements were retained where they continued to provide value, while larger openings and carefully positioned glazing improved daylight and strengthened the relationship between the house and garden.

The landscape was treated as part of the architectural composition, creating shaded and planted areas that balance the substantial scale of the residence.

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THE OUTCOME

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A larger and more functional family home that feels more open, connected and grounded in landscape despite its substantial program.

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PLUS STUDIO VALUE

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Planning controls define an envelope. They do not determine the best way to use it.

By resolving circulation, existing structure, landscape and new accommodation together, the project could grow without treating additional floor area as the only measure of value.