Glenhaven

Overview

• Major rebuild
• 4 bedrooms 2 Bathrooms
• Open plan living
• 3 Outdoor living areas
• Pool Renovation
• Sustainability upgrades
• New kitchen
• Raked ceilings

The brief was to transform a 1980 project home into a luxury, environmentally friendly and sustainable home.

For the design plans, the client engaged Envirotecture, one of Australia’s leading sustainable building design architects.

A major rebuild was required, which involved removing load-bearing walls to create a cohesive open floor plan. Ceilings in the main living areas were lifted to create vaulted ceilings. Three separate outdoor living areas surrounding the existing pool were added.

Situated with an elevated northerly aspect, this home offered a prime opportunity to maximise the expansive bush views and take in the sun. We installed 4 x 3 metre high double glazed windows imported from Germany, with concealed window frames that retracted into a cavity wall – thereby connecting the internal and outdoor entertaining spaces. By adding a retractable canvas awning over the main outdoor area, the client can enjoy year round entertaining – blocking out the harsh summer sun without sacrificing the warm winter rays.

The existing concrete pool also needed renovation. The client chose to replace the old interior pebblecrete to a deep green glass mosaic tile finish, which complimented the luscious greenery outside and the new hardwood decks surrounding the pool.

A Blackbutt deck and pergola was added to the eastern side of the pool, which was elevated to internal floor level to flow seamlessly from a main living room inside. The two pergola posts were built from 190 x 45 millimetre dressed hardwood, giving them a unique and distinctive look.

The beams and rafters were left exposed. Stainless steel bolts and fixtures were used to make a feature of the post supports.

On the western side of the pool, a Blackbutt deck was built at pool level within the glass balustrades area, creating an additional space in which to enjoy the pool.