Background/owner brief

The original house was a single storey cottage located in the Sydney suburb of Mascot.

The dwelling is situated on a small suburban block that backed on to a public park.

Located close to the airport, the suburb is usually quite busy with frequent interruptions from the flight path.

The original house was a small two-bedroom, one bathroom weatherboard cottage which had some restoration work, including by the owner’s father after they first purchased it in 2009.

The owners’ original brief included the construction of a new two storey addition to the rear to comprise of three bedrooms and improved living spaces.

From renovation to new build

A key additional requirement, due to the lack of parking within proximity to the airport, was to have off-street parking within the site.

A further change during Covid-19 resulted in work-from-home – adding to the strain on the small home.

As the scope grew, it became evident that the project was transitioning from a renovation to a completely new build.

This allowed some freedom with the planning and resulted in a well proportioned and functional space for the young family.

Challenges

• Briefing variations resulting from changes to work situations and through the natural development of the project.
• Aircraft noise from the nearby airport
• Parking and traffic constraints due to airport travellers utilising local toll-free areas for extended stays.
• High water table and sandy soil conditions due to the proximity to the coast.
• Flood zoning.

Design responses

Once the brief made its final evolution, the planning of the project became very clear.

• A single car space to the front of the property provided a defined setback to the street.
• An elevated floor level due to flooding requirements resulted in a podium-like base for the home.
• The front room functions as a home office resulting in an elevated outlook over the car space to the street beyond.

Looks and layout

The laundry and guest powder room was located adjacent, allowing the home office to double as a guest room for overseas family visits.

A generous open-planned kitchen, dining and living room extended to the rear with beautiful polished concrete flooring and a feature recycled brick wall – selected for its impurities

and character.

On the first floor, a simple and functional layout allowed for two children’s bedrooms and a shared bathroom, with the parent’s bedroom and ensuite to the rear, borrowing a leafy outlook from the

neighbouring park.

Externally, the building presents with a heavy brick base – the texture and variation in the brickwork creates visual interest and a point of difference to the white rendered boxes of its neighbours.

A black metal form perches above creating a sharp and stunning form from the streetscape and park.