Positioned within the historical charm of an 1890s sandstone cottage, Pear Tree House emerges as a seamless fusion of old-world character and contemporary sophistication.
This meticulously crafted extension and renovation project, undertaken by boutique architecture and construction firm Glasshouse Projects, reimagines traditional appeal into modern luxury on a 627 square meter block.
Preserving Heritage, Embracing Innovation
At the heart of the project lay the client's desire to preserve the essence of the original cottage while introducing modern amenities and spaciousness. Glasshouse Projects undertook a comprehensive overhaul, introducing a 300 square meter extension alongside meticulous renovations to the existing structure.
Elevating Tradition with Modern Sophistication
The extension boasts a range of new features including a master bedroom with ensuite, dining area, kitchen, butler's pantry, laundry, powder room, guest bathroom, study, and outdoor living space. Notably, the addition of a sunken garden, rectangular pool, and a structured floating box exemplifies the marriage between traditional aesthetics and contemporary design principles.
Seamless Integration of Indoor and Outdoor Spaces
A key highlight of Pear Tree House is its seamless integration of indoor and outdoor living areas. Glasshouse Projects cleverly designed the space to maximize natural light and ventilation, utilizing sliding glass doors, oversized pavers, and timber elements to create a fluid transition between the interior and exterior.
Designing for Comfort and Functionality
The architectural team prioritized comfort and functionality, incorporating elements such as a cantilevered slab over a sunken courtyard and pool, a skylight spanning the length of the living space, and open joinery to foster a sense of connection while maintaining privacy.
A Palette of Timeless Elegance
Throughout Pear Tree House, a palette of rich materials such as textured limestone, aged brass, and weathered copper glass work in harmony with warm timber accents, creating a sense of timeless elegance and luxury.
A Reflective Approach to Design
Lead Architect Don Iannicelli notes, "Pear Tree House is a responsive and considered solution to what clients were trying to achieve. Every last bit of space needed to perform, and by adding texture and ample glass, we were able to create a radiant openness and richness."
Q&As
What were the solutions?
We renovated the older part of the home to house the master bedroom and ensuite.\ The main extension houses the study, dining, living, powder room, guest bathroom, laundry and butler's pantry, which can be accessed also via a new side entry. For the outdoor space, we designed the pool, garden and outdoor living space, complete with retractable timber doors which convert the garage (rear land access) into further entertaining space when needed.
What was the brief?
The client's wishes were to ensure that a modern extension remained sympathetic to the character of the original 1890 sandstone cottage, which sat on a 627 sqm block. They wanted to add significant space for private areas of retreat (master bedroom, ensuite, study) as well as more open areas for entertaining and socialising (kitchen, dining, powder room ), as well as a garden, outdoor entertaining areas, pool and service areas (laundry, pantry, rainwater tank storage).
What were the key challenges?
A small block- only 627sqm. The client's wanted to accommodate as many as 25 people for special events and celebrations, yet also have areas for private retreat such as a decent size master bedroom, guest bathroom, music and study spaces.
Caroline Patterson
Caroline is a young, New York-based interior designer and home decor writer, obsessed with textiles and designer furniture. Backed with rigorous training from a prestigious design school, as well as a profound understanding of material quality and fabric care, she offers spot-on advice on how to furnish your place with reliable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing pieces.
