A house at Kirribilli: a home for three generations |
For a house in the inner suburbs of Sydney to remain within one family ownership for some 50 years is becoming increasingly rare. This Kirribilli house, passing from the long-term owners to their daughter and her family - so that three generations might live together in the renovated home - was rejuvenated in an exercise of conservation, repair and adaptation of a late Victorian sandstone cottage. The aim was to achieve a comfortable family home, with contemporary amenity and heritage character, and its heritage significance intact.
The Kirribilli house stands upon a site formerly occupied by a sandstone cottage built c.1870 and demolished c.1900. Three houses, all still extant, appear to have been built upon the cottage site after subdivision – two Edwardian-Federation style brick cottages and this sandstone cottage, which may have been built with masonry and timber elements salvaged from the earlier house. Listed by North Sydney Council, the house had been last improved in the 1960s and 1970s with a rear extension, basement level and new services. These all required reconsideration, together with the repair and renewal of the house.
With its later additions and changes removed, the house was taken back to its essential plan and form, in preparation for its adaptation. Three levels were to be provided in its new arrangement – the main living level, with original reception rooms, children’s bedrooms, and new family areas; a basement grandparents’ level, with living and study areas; and a new attic level parents’ bedroom and retreat, partly within the original roof and partly within a deferring extension made to it. A new main stair and compact lift were needed, to link all three levels.
The project gained Council consent and was expertly realised by A & DR Illes (Sydney), with whom we have worked for over 30 years. Extensive stonework repairs and repointing were required, together with comprehensive repairs and refinishing of the existing house. Within an envelope tightly circumscribed by the applying planning and heritage controls, the house has subtly grown to meet new requirements and realise the potential of its wonderful harbour-side setting. The areas of change seek to add a new layer to the house, respecting its traditional design, its past and its character, while bringing it into its second century of family life and responding to the potential and amenity of its harbourside setting.
Builder : A & DR Illes (Sydney) Pty Ltd - Alex Illes
Engineer : D.J. Hall
Photography : © Lindy Kerr
The Kirribilli house stands upon a site formerly occupied by a sandstone cottage built c.1870 and demolished c.1900. Three houses, all still extant, appear to have been built upon the cottage site after subdivision – two Edwardian-Federation style brick cottages and this sandstone cottage, which may have been built with masonry and timber elements salvaged from the earlier house. Listed by North Sydney Council, the house had been last improved in the 1960s and 1970s with a rear extension, basement level and new services. These all required reconsideration, together with the repair and renewal of the house.
With its later additions and changes removed, the house was taken back to its essential plan and form, in preparation for its adaptation. Three levels were to be provided in its new arrangement – the main living level, with original reception rooms, children’s bedrooms, and new family areas; a basement grandparents’ level, with living and study areas; and a new attic level parents’ bedroom and retreat, partly within the original roof and partly within a deferring extension made to it. A new main stair and compact lift were needed, to link all three levels.
The project gained Council consent and was expertly realised by A & DR Illes (Sydney), with whom we have worked for over 30 years. Extensive stonework repairs and repointing were required, together with comprehensive repairs and refinishing of the existing house. Within an envelope tightly circumscribed by the applying planning and heritage controls, the house has subtly grown to meet new requirements and realise the potential of its wonderful harbour-side setting. The areas of change seek to add a new layer to the house, respecting its traditional design, its past and its character, while bringing it into its second century of family life and responding to the potential and amenity of its harbourside setting.
Builder : A & DR Illes (Sydney) Pty Ltd - Alex Illes
Engineer : D.J. Hall
Photography : © Lindy Kerr