A contemporary addition to the rear of an early 1900’S bluestone cottage.The project includes a new open plan living and dining area with an extensive north facing deck. New kitchen, bathroom, laundry facilities and new ensuite to the existing bedroom. A landscaped pool and outdoor entertaining area adjoins the deck.

Rejuvenation of the cottage included a new corrugated iron roof and insulation, restoration of a bluestone external wall, internal painting and timber floor polishing.

The building includes the following sustainable design elements:

• Low impact on the site with minimal cut and fill

• Window placement to facilitate cross ventilation and breeze paths from local gully winds

•  High thermal mass construction, polished concrete floors and insulated rammed earth walls

• Double glazing and Australian hardwood window frames

• Rainwater capture and reuse for whole of house

• High levels of thermal insulation to lightweight walls and roof.

• Solar capture for hot water, pool heating and photo voltaic panels

The palette of materials includes:

•  Rammed Earth Walls

• Hoop pine plywood raked ceilings

• Jarrah door and window frames and cladding with a clear finish

• Polished concrete flooring with in slab heating

• Jarrah decking

• Weathertex hardwood wall cladding, oiled finish