18 Ryrie Street

The project involves modest alterations and additions to an existing partially converted late Federation bungalow overlooking Quaker’s Hat Bay. The existing ground floor hap-hazard additions were replaced with a generous living area. A first floor master bedroom was added and the existing ¾ height sub-floor area was marginally excavated to provide a rumpus room.

The remnant bungalow detailing that gave the house character and warmth was retained. New detailing was designed to sit comfortably with the existing and avoided a pastiche copy of it.

The two stairwells are grouped together and form a nodal circulation point in the house. This double-height space becomes the delineation and transition between old and new.

The existing front-of-house was dilapidated and dark which presented an opportunity to rework the front façade. The pre-existing front verandah was reinstated and the was roof lifted, making a far more welcoming light-filled entrance to the house.

Sustainability

• The new works retain much of the existing house, avoiding unnecessary demolition waste
• Cross ventilation, orientation for breezes, and adjustable shading devices regulate the temperature extremes of this west facing site and reduce life-cycle energy requirements. This avoids the need for air-conditioning
• All walls including cavity walls are insulated

Innovative sustainable design elements:

• External venetians blinds control light and heat gain to the west façade
• A large discretely concealed retractable awning shades the rear deck
• Low-E glass is used
• Access to natural light is considerably improved in the existing house with simple modifications to existing windows and the introduction of skylights

Environmental footprint of the building is minimised by:

• The footprint remains largely the same as the existing
• The existing site sandstone is reused in the new works
• Low water consumption fixtures are used
• Solar pool heating was added for the existing pool