Modern Manners

Sydney Morning Herald

Thursday March 8, 2007

Words Stephen Crafti

A classic 1960s home gets a makeover without disturbing its charm.

Modernist homes have captivated a new audience over the past decade and these striking contemporary designs, many bearing the hallmarks of Harry Seidler's Rose Seidler house in Wahroonga, are now eagerly sought after.

This 1960s house in Dover Heights included many of the classic features of the period but needed to be updated to provide a contemporary home for a couple with three children.

Originally designed by architect Henry Pollack (one of the founders of Mirvac) in 1963, the house is now home to the original owner's daughter. "The house was too large for her mother, who was living in the house on her own. Her daughter was in a much smaller house nearby. They were going to either move or extend," says designer Richard Peters of Tobias Partners. "The problem was solved by exchanging homes."

The daughter had fond memories of growing up in the house, but she needed another bedroom and wanted more contemporary spaces.

"Her husband tracked down Henry Pollack to see if he would be interested in renovating the house. Pollack apparently thought it was perfect as it stood," Peters says. So Tobias Partners got the commission.

It appears authentic, but it is almost a completely new house within the existing shell. The shell has also been significantly altered, with replacement copper cladding added to the eaves and facade. The original timber windows were removed and substituted with aluminium windows to prevent damage from the moist salt air. Stackable glass doors were added to the rear balconies. The rear staircase to the pool was redesigned, enclosing it with a concrete block wall to form a sculptural edge and to eliminate views of neighbouring pitched roofs.

The interior spaces were completely reworked. The kitchen and living rooms were opened up to gain a view of the harbour, which can also now be seen from the study at the top of the stairs.

"Originally there was a louvred glass wall at the top of the stairs. It really cut off the stairwell atrium from the rest of the house," Peters says. He replaced the louvred wall with a sheer curtain. "You can close off the space by simply drawing the curtain across the living area."

They retained the sandstone feature wall, the timber and steel staircase and other period detailing. The rest of the house was gutted, including the kitchen that had been renovated in the 1980s. Pacific maple was used extensively in the kitchen joinery (and in other parts of the house) and floor-to-ceiling MDF cupboards were installed to conceal the fridge and pantry. A striking nine-metre credenza was also created, extending into the dining area.

"Before, the kitchen was closed off from the dining area. It was really about removing walls and opening up spaces," Peters says. This also allowed him to expose the atrium and sandstone walls from as many aspects as possible.

Part of the space from the ground floor rumpus room was adapted to create a second bedroom. What was once three bedrooms upstairs is now two bedrooms that are considerably larger and have ensuites.

The pool was refurbished and a new timber deck was added with storage below.

The owner has happy memories of growing up in the house but she didn't want to live in a museum.

"Initially she thought it would be better to render and paint the tan bricks. But these bricks are an important feature of Pollack's design, as is the copper," Peters says, pointing to a newspaper article where the house first appeared. The article stated that "the copper will require wiping over with lemon once a year for maintenance". Fortunately, manufacturing processes have improved over the past 40 years and the new copper panels don't have to be maintained in this manner.

The house is no longer the same one that Pollack created but the architects tried to respect the original design.

"It still has the feeling of the original house," Peters says. "But there is an openness that previously didn't exist. I hope there's still something of Pollack's heroic design."

The aim

To renovate the house for contemporary living without sacrificing its character.

Time frame

Approximately three months to design (including building approvals) and six to nine months to construct.

Favourite features

The atrium garden, with its six-metre-high glazed window wall and the stone feature walls in the entrance, stairwell, and rumpus room.

Green points

A rainwater collection system was installed and glass louvres were added to the western facade to improve ventilation.

Insiders' tip

Respect the original design. Don't be too eager to alter things without seriously contemplating their architectural merit.

Architect

Tobias Partners, 9361 4800

Builder

Jacob Touri, T J Building, 0411 544 045

1 The tan brick facade was retained and new copper panels replaced the originals.

2 The sandstone feature wall and timber and steel staircase were part of the original house.

3 A sheer curtain replaced a louvred wall in the living area.

4 The bathroom was completely replaced.

5 A nine-metre credenza extends from the kitchen to the dining area. Floor-to-ceiliing MDF cupboards conceal the fridge and the pantry.

6 Stackable glass doors were added to the rear and a new deck was built around the pool.

Plans adapted by Robert Parkinson.

© 2007 Sydney Morning Herald

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