Christopher Polly Architect

Cosgriff House

Cosgriff House
© Brett Boardman photography

COSGRIFF HOUSE

Christopher Polly Architect

LOCATION
Australia

AREA
167.0 m2

PROJECT YEAR
2012

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
SDA Structures

Cosgriff House
© Brett Boardman photography
Cosgriff House
© Brett Boardman photography

The project retains its original envelope as part of its environmental, economic and planning values.

Cosgriff House
© Brett Boardman photography
Cosgriff House
© Brett Boardman photography
Cosgriff House
© Brett Boardman photography

A substantial lower ground living volume is sensitively inserted beneath the original fabric to harness the fall in the site towards the rear, extending deeply beneath the existing dwelling and outwards towards the garden to transform it - while a re- crafted rear ground floor above enfolds the existing rhythm of front rooms over the new lower ground below.

Both levels accept a modestly-sized lightweight addition which extrapolates existing wall alignments, gutter levels and enclosing wall heights - that at once, extends and subverts existing geometries to present an interpreted mirrored slice of the original vernacular form attached to the retained rear fabric.

Cosgriff House
© Brett Boardman photography
Cosgriff House
© Brett Boardman photography

An eccentric roof form extrapolates the original southern roof plane to mitigate adjacent impacts - lifting to light and tree views to the east, while also folding upwards for access to northern light and sky through a sole fire-rated window along the boundary.

The majority of the project is carefully crafted within the retained masonry and hipped roof envelope.

Cosgriff House
© Brett Boardman photography
Cosgriff House
© Brett Boardman photography

Vaulted ceilings and skylights carved within the original roof form expand volumes for access to light and sky within the middle of the ground floor - while consciously surrendered floor area permits a generous stair void that spatially expands to the lower level below, and upwards to views of the external environment to strengthen connections to its setting.

Utilities located deep within the semi-subterranean rear of the lower ground enable direct connection of the living space to the garden and jacaranda tree, while the re-worked ground floor above adds a bathroom, main bedroom and adaptable bedroom providing flexibility for future use as a study.

Fenestration placement improves natural light access and promotes passive ventilation, assisted by ceiling fans and a roof venting system to exhaust trapped heat out of the original roof space.

Cosgriff House
© Brett Boardman photography
Cosgriff House
© Brett Boardman photography


Cosgriff House
© Brett Boardman photography
Cosgriff House
© Brett Boardman photography
Cosgriff House
© Brett Boardman photography
Cosgriff House
© Brett Boardman photography
Cosgriff House
© Brett Boardman photography
Cosgriff House
© Brett Boardman photography
Cosgriff House
© Brett Boardman photography
Cosgriff House
© Brett Boardman photography
Cosgriff House
© Brett Boardman photography


Cosgriff House
© Brett Boardman photography
Cosgriff House
© Brett Boardman photography
Cosgriff House
© Brett Boardman photography


Cosgriff House
Ground Floor Plan
Cosgriff House
Lower Ground Floor Plan


Cosgriff House
Section
Cosgriff House
Sections


Cosgriff House
South & East Elevations

Christopher Polly Architect
T +61 2 95165994
Christopher Polly Architect
17 Harold Street, Newtown NSW 2042, Australia