Fixed and awning windows as well as a stacking cavity sliding door from Architectural Window Systems were installed in a traditional home to modernise it and connect the living space better with the outdoors.
Originally a traditional weatherboard bungalow located on a busy road in Brighton, Victoria, Carpenter House was built on a small block of land. Lindsay Douglas of Dig Design explained that the biggest challenge was in creating something that was very modern, tying it in with something that was Edwardian, and working within the neighbourhood context.
Given the constraints of the small property, the architect needed to maximise the space while allowing the living spaces to interact freely with the outdoors. The outside fence and boundaries of the home became the definition of the building. Dig Design stretched the building elements to the boundaries so that it gave a sense of a larger space.
The client sought a home design that would suit the needs of a young family but would have the flexibility to be adapted later to their needs in the future. Interactions with the family led to the idea of the veranda being the focal point of the home, as it was the main area connecting the interior to the exterior. Curved walls were implemented to soften the edges of the veranda and to create the illusion of a bigger space.
The owners’ demand for natural light in their new home has been facilitated by a light-filled stairwell from upstairs. All the windows in the home are double glazed with some featuring high performance glass.
Vantage Series 616 fixed and awning windows were used throughout the build with window frames recessed into the floor and ceiling in order to increase the sense of space.
Elevate Series 704 high performance SlideMASTER stacking cavity sliding door was used to connect the living room to the outdoors; when open, each panel is hidden in the wall cavity, contributing to making the space appear bigger. All AWS products were installed by Windows By Design.
Carpenter House won the 2014 Building Designers Association of Victoria Design Awards for the category Residential Alterations & Additions over $500K.
