Lightscoop, Dulwich Hill

A small addition and internal reworking of a detached single storey family home in Dulwich Hill, Sydney.

Description

Within a tightly constrained site the roof of the addition reaches high to scoop in northern light from above the neighbouring buildings.

The highlight windows draw in cool breezes and allow hot air to exhaust in the summer.

The small addition creates space for a new dedicated kitchen, allowing the former to become a dedicated study, with adjoining dining and living spaces.

The new kitchen acts as a stepping stone between the old and the new, where levels terrace gradually from inside to outside, creating zones of interest. The transition from the study to the kitchen is amplified by the long extended treads of the small stair and lofted ceiling of the kitchen.

The kitchen opens up to the backyard with large face sliding timber doors. The deck extends the kitchen space with a level threshold where stairs lead on to the garden from there.

A suspended pergola hangs from the external wall and allows creeper planting to fill in the gaps and filter out some of the sun.

The addition is completed by internal renovations including a new bathroom that overlaps and shares space with the pantry, a new laundry and built in robes throughout.

The internal and external material and colour palette consists of dark tones to contrast the light coloured existing house. Black kitchen joinery and dark brick walls contrast the white lightscoop, emphasising the light filled space without creating glare. Hardwood timber detailing throughout connects the architecture with the client’s taste for midcentury modern.

The bathroom and laundry take on a lighter palette of Carrara stone, white v-groove ceilings and birch plywood built-ins. Brass details including tapware draw on the desire for midcentury modern and creates a style of quiet sophistication.

Credit

Architect : @AdrianoPupilliArchitects

Photographer : @SimonWhitbread

Builder : @DavidWatsonBuilding

Role

This project was completed during my time at Adriano Pupilli Architects.

As the project lead, my involvement ranged from pre-design including the initial measure-up, concept design and overseeing the development application and construction documentation.

Contract administration was largely undertaken by the client, however APA were consulted occasionally to respond to builder requests for information and to assist in navigating particular situations.