Windows House is a refurbishment and extension to a weatherboard house in the Inner West suburb of Kingsville. The client’s brief was to transform the existing house together with an earlier renovation consisting of dark and cramped spaces into a bright open living area linked to an outdoor living space together with the provision for efficient and up to date amenities.

 

The challenges for this project were the heritage listing which dictated that the front of the house cannot be changed, and any addition to the rear must not be visible from the street. The proximity of the neighbour to the north boundary limited all access to natural-light to the western (backyard) side and from above.

 

 Firstly, the living and amenities spaces to the rear of the house were rearranged to make an open plan for the family to gather. To enhance the limited footprint of the living space, the ceiling level at the point between the existing part of the house and the extension was dramatically increased to make an otherwise mediocre space into a bright, interesting and unencumbered expanse.

 

The access to sunlight from the west and the client’s requirement for natural light meant unusual western façade to the house was required. A twin roof with deep overhanging and angled eaves to temper direct sunlight striking the interior of the house from the west was created.  These eaves shade the multiple windows of varying shapes and sizes which provide a point of interest to the living area within. Remotely operable skylights are placed in ceiling of the living space which makes use of the thermal chimney effect to aid to in the natural cooling of the house on warmer days. Solar panels are located on the roof to provide power for daily needs with excess is supplied back to the grid.

 

The lower roof also forms the cover for the outdoor dining area. Further, the cuts to these roofs enable the raised garden to the south to be open to the sky and more natural light to arrive at the living space.

 

Materials used include zincalume and timber cladding externally, reflecting the materiality of the structures fronting the back laneway. Recycled Messmate was used in intermittently to provide highlights in the joinery.

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