From the architect:

This Tasmanian project centres on the adaptive reuse of an existing dwelling, extending and renovating the house to enhance its relationship with the surrounding landscape.

The intervention improves panoramic views, access to natural light, and the spatial flow of the interior, while retaining the integrity of the original structure.

The client embraced an open and collaborative design process, with proposals shaped by pragmatic budgetary considerations.

The architectural response draws on Scandinavian minimalism and rural building traditions, expressed through a restrained material palette of Corten and galvanised steel, complemented by timber selected for its durability and resonance with the Tasmanian rural context.

robin hill biotope

robin hill biotope

Robin Hill is located on a rural block with extensive panoramic views to the North West Bay and Bruny Island. The extant house was a corrugated iron clad house with small windows. The existing form had limited connection to the wider landscape and was aesthetically displeasing to the eye.

The brief was to add a new sunroom and deck to the existing open plan kitchen, dining, and lounge areas and a new bedroom, ensuite and deck area.

robin hill biotope

robin hill biotope

This resulted in a cantilevered extension and deck with a new workshop added under the extension. The window sizes were adjusted to improve the panoramic views.

The existing roof was retained with the eaves overhang built, providing relief in form from the lower level. Prior to the renovation the lower and upper level was one facade with no delineation between the two levels.

The thickening of the walls provided opportunities for joinery to be incorporated and for window seats.

The new sunroom extension incorporates the warm tones of plywood to the walls and ceiling. The existing spaces retain the plasterboard-lined appearance to reduce waste. The new window opening is treated with plywood reveals and joinery and ties in with the sunroom and new bedroom wing.

robin hill biotope

The lower-level existing garage and the new workshop have been glazed, to lighten the form from the upper level Corten lined façade. The garage becomes a showroom, and the workshop capitalises on the panoramic views and sun and is a great space to work. The garage and workshop are lined with structural plywood keeping the space glare free and visually warm.

A new bedroom wing with ensuite, was added to the rear which added a much needed third bedroom to this two-bedroom house.

Ply lined walls and ceilings, with a bespoke Tasmanian oak bed, feature in the space, the ensuite has a skylight to provide skyscape views from the bath as you rest and look to the open sky during the day and stars at night.

robin hill biotope

robin hill biotope

The sustainable use of the building provided constraints to the design: only the sunroom, bedroom wing and workshop are new additions with the remainder of the house remaining as existing.

The existing cladding, windows, and garage door were all recycled. Timber and steel from demolished elements were reused on the project.

The result is a house that appears as a contemporary, new rural house but is predominately extant.

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