Awards

2010 Winner Single Dwelling Randwick Urban Design Awards

This award winning renovation design has evolved from an original semi-detached cottage in Coogee, to a home for a family of five that reflects the evolving nature of a growing family. Testament to careful planning and detailing, it is designed to embrace change and allow for the realities of family life.

The project has evolved over a number of years and through several stages of construction. It is now split over four levels and is integrated carefully with landscape areas which provide a separate pavilion and a pool. A huge amount has been fitted into this 270m2 block over time, but it works well and has a wonderful sense of space, with light and breeze permeating this coastal location. Areas of the house accomodate for study, for play, for privacy and for social interaction, such that it survives and thrives throughout the various stages of the inhabitants’ lives. Moving from a shared bunk room, to a playful attic space and down to a studio in the garden, a child can grow into an adult under the same roof.

The interiors of the house uses the warmth of plywood and bright pops of colour to create an inviting and welcoming space that immediately feels like a home and brings a sense of security and refuge.

Given its location in a dense suburban area, in close proximity to services and transport, we see it as a legitimate model for sustainable family living in Australia as it is compact, energy efficient and able to absorb a dynamic and evolving family life. Despite this urban context however, through careful framing of views and landscaping features that offer privacy, this award winning renovation design has become a small oasis which nurtures the private family lives of its inhabitants.

The house won the Randwick City Council Urban Design Award for 2010 Single Residential Dwelling Alteration and Additions Category.

It is located within the same local community within which DKC has built a variety of other houses with similar needs (Randwick 2, Randwick 3, Randwick 4).

Photography: Jennifer Soo