Located in Collingwood and completed by Splinter Society, Cottage House reinstates a dilapidated Victorian workers’ cottage and pairs it with a modern architectural extension that is clearly separated from the original structure.

Thanks to a heritage overlay, which required the home to be preserved, the architects undertook a meticulous process in which the entire Victorian structure was dismantled, numbered, and stored offsite. In this way, they were able to proceed, unobstructed, with the extension.

Preserving the original form of the cottage, the rennovation is anchored by retaining two original brick fireplaces – one reinstated within the cottage itself, and the other incorporated into the courtyard as an outdoor fireplace.

The façade combines reinstated original fabric with carefully recreated sections, and a gentle modification of the weatherboard rhythm links the heritage cottage to its modern counterpart.

The two structures are formally separated through form and materiality, with the restored cottage in a light grey timber at the front and the new rear extension in a darker grey metal cladding.

A central garden courtyard, which sits between the two volumes as the primary outdoor space, brings northern light deep into the living spaces while also establishing visual connection to the garden from every room.

Reinforcing the emphasis on natural light, a northern double-height courtyard at the rear brings sunlight deep into the living spaces.

The modern volume is fully clad in dark metals, with perforated panels that filter light and ensure privacy. Its upper-level cantilevers over the courtyard, adding shade and visual interest.

The modern addition features open-plan living and kitchen areas, with large windows opening onto garden pockets, while the upper level accommodates secluded bedrooms and a study, and includes views of the neighbourhood.

Now complete, the project celebrates the workers cottage as its centrepiece, preserving the original building's character while allowing the addition to frame and enhance its presence.

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