loft of suburbia

Loft of Suburbia is the BCA Certifiers 2014 Mervyn Willoughby-Thomas Renovation Award Winner.

Jury citation:

Loft of Suburbia is a delicately crafted and playful insertion into an existing roof cavity of a standard suburban home. On a very modest budget, this home additon combines modesty and magic in a place of retreat where nothing existed before. The concept of turning unused roof area into habitable space that is both creative and inviting makes this project a deserving recipient of the Mervyn Willoughby-Thomas Renovation Award for 2014.

Not visible from the street, the addition only becomes apparent when opening the front door. Overhead, a shaft of light shines down onto the hand crafted timber ladder. Rising steeply into the compact loft, a strong banding of colour is revealed over a half-height wall that is terminated by a slender recycled timber pillar.

Bursts of colour imitate the sun's rays and glide from the operable skylights, over the raked ceiling and down onto an angled backrest wall that makes use of the original roof struts. A Japanese Tokonoma display space, crafted from recycled Tasmanian oak, conceals an existing ceiling beam. It is this ability to resolve problematic constraints through design refinement that demonstrates a high level of intelligence from the architect.

Loft of Suburbia is a focused demonstration of sustainable design that has the capability to influence the way suburban environments may be adapted.