It is a classic weatherboard cottage located in St Kilda, Australia. Designed by Jost Architects, the previous 1980s extension of St Kilda Cottage House has been removed to the rear. Because the site tapered, the shape of the building is also tapered. Both the honest interior finishes and the careful detail employed in this house are practical, precise, and clean.
Design
The architect took this cottage with a council Heritage Overlay and removed its old extension. On the ground floor, there are two front bedrooms and bathrooms as a part of the original main area of the house which is retained. The brief of this project is to add an east-facing deck on the upper level, WIR, ensuite, and a master bedroom. It is also about utilizing the small area to the northeast.
Additions
The shape of the building is tapered, following the tapered site. The applied geometry can ensure the upper-level facades are presented to each end of the property. The new additions are made which are contemporary in contrast to the existing dwelling without moving too far from the original.
Materials
On one side, over, and down on the other, the galvanized custom orb cladding wraps those sides perfectly and intersecting with the weatherboard cladding. Both familiar materials have been found in this part of St Kilda. The screened internal space is permeable and it also becomes an active and changing aspect of the dwelling. This aspect depends on lighting, conditions, and the time of day.
Interior
The internal planning in this project is very important because there is no room available to build further back to increase the house internal area without detriment to the small rear yard. This planning is also important to improve the functional layout, including in a stair to the upper level without increasing the size of the footprint.
The honest interior finishes are combined the careful details employed in practical, precise, and clean appearance. It is a design aspect that is also important to the client that ables to deliver a combination of functionality and sensibility for a long time.
St Kilda Cottage House Gallery
Photographer: Tom Roe, Shani Hodson