This substantial renovation/extension was designed by TT Architecture on a broad Street in Griffith. They have sited a modern pavilion at the rear of a constrained block to optimise solar gain and as a counterpoint to the redbrick original.

The client’s brief can be summarized as– “open plan, plenty of natural light and something different – we certainly did not want the standard box in suburbia”.

The builder Ari Piiroinen of Personal FX Constructions was invited to be the contractor by the clients due to a successful relationship on a previous building project and a strong friendship between Ari’s wife and Fiona. Ari’s comment when all was finished was “that it was a bit of a challenge but we all got on well”

The clients reflected at the end of the project “The result – a home that meets all of our needs. The architects and builder catered for our brief in transforming a 50 year old red brick cottage into a modern home that seamlessly blends the old with the new, brings the outside in with heaps of natural light and external accesses, provides the lines to showcase our many treasures – a house that creates a wow factor. The house is a combination of ideas and practical solutions that will provide for comfortable living while retaining its contemporary feel for many years to come”.