Bourne Blue architects were able to carry off the ultimate sustainable design trick – transforming a cold and dark cottage with passive solar design and a raft of other eco friendly features. The minimalist white exterior of this home makes a surprise transition to the exotic at the entrance: we are welcomed by a Balinese statue and a view beyond to an earthy and compelling combination of polished concrete floors, red Persian hall runner and exotic urn and artworks. It’s my kind of entrance, that’s for sure.
The revamp of this 1980 dwelling was designed by Claire Lavis of Bourne Blue Architects and is located in the inner city heritage conservation area of my home town, Newcastle (East Coast of Australia). The original building had poorly arranged spaces, no insulation and little solar access so the architectural strategy was to reverse all this, creating a long living, dining and kitchen space.
The new living space is a triumph, with polished concrete floors, a rustic timber dining table and freestanding entertainment unit, displaying an ‘Aladdin’s cave’ of Asian artifacts and treasures.
The new space overlooks a large covered deck which is complimented by a series of timber platform steps traveling up the side of the property.
This place incorporates a range of sustainable features including full insulation, high performance glazing, concrete slab for thermal mass and a rainwater tank for reusing water for toilet flushing, clothes washing and watering the garden.
Photography by Shane Blue.
