New South Wales-based architectural practice, Stephen Collier Architects, have restored this conversion of a boat house. The contemporary property is located on Lavender Bay in Sydney, Australia.
According to the architects: “The nature of the existing building presented a unique set of challenges both in terms of heritage considerations and construction processes.
“The painstaking restoration was carried out in close coordination with the builder, with the design evolving throughout the duration of the works. The result was that the documentation and construction processes took place side by side.
“The additions to the building’s interior over a period of many years meant that it was only when the building was stripped back to its original elements that we could understand the detailing and construction requirements.
“The extent to which the building’s structure had distorted over the years also meant that no two details are the same. The result was a drawn out and time consuming process, but one that ensured the highest standards of detailing and construction.
“Likewise, the DA approvals took place in conjunction with design, documentation and building work. The building’s heritage status meant strict conditions on what we could or couldn’t do and we had to seek a number of approvals throughout the course of the project.
“The interventions we made both respect and reflect the building’s maritime history while at the same time enhance the building’s use as a residential property over the coming years.”
Images courtesy of Peter Bennetts
