This project is alterations and additions to a beautiful Victorian sandstone cottage including a stone artist's studio, built in 1896 as part of the Randall estate. The rear of the house had been extensively renovated and altered during the 1980s and 90s, however the result was not well planned and disguised rather than revealed the original form of the house with ill considered 'mock heritage' features.
The brief was to provide a new living and dining room, re-design the kitchen and provide a new ensuite, bathroom, laundry, guest w.c, garage and studio. The concept was to restore what was the former artist's studio, at the back of the house, to become the new kitchen, located at the end of the central hall of the original cottage. The original double mansard roof and high level windows of this out-building were restored, whilst a replica mansard roof over the billiard room was removed, so the original studio could stand proud.
A new glazed living room pavilion was added to the rear of the existing house to enclose the courtyard adjacent to the kitchen. A bathroom that had been inserted into the end of the wrap around verandah was removed and a new artists studio, added to link the new addition with the former studio.
Gardens designed by William Dangar, compliment the house and the contemporary rear addition. The repetition of a circular motif and large circular planters adds symmetry and formality whilst being clearly contemporary in design and plant selection. This is the beauty of this project, the additions and garden are sympathetic to the original buildings, yet are clearly of the 21st century in design and materials.
