Helio House
Modifications and improvements to an existing house and conversion of existing Workshop to a Granny Flat with shared Laundry use. The project is located in Bulli and proceeded under a Complying Development Certificate (CDC).
Primary structural work pitched the rear half of the main roof as a wider gable. This approach respects the architecture of the existing house and retained the solar access plane for neighbours to the South. The new roof line opens up escarpment views whilst increasing ceiling height upstairs for potential conversion to a Main Bedroom and ensuite.
New doors connect the lounge room with the front balcony. The western elevation has louvred glazing, sliding and swing doors as an interface between indoors and outdoors.
The Kitchen is relocated to the northwest corner of the house where it benefits from views to the Street and to the escarpment whilst facing away from the neighbour on this boundary. The new Kitchen looks out onto the Covered Terrace and has an island bench with attached shelving unit. The shelving unit conceals a structural column used to minimise the spans supporting the expanded upper level and sewer stack for Ensuite above.
The wider Gable extends to the outer edge of the wrapping verandah along the northern boundary. This provides greater ceiling height and natural light and view access for the re-located Kitchen and expanded Living rooms.
Two ‘pop-out’ elements are located adjacent to the side path on the northern boundary. The first is a pop-out seat and the second holds the taller elements of the kitchen.
Hardwood offcuts were re-worked into bespoke kitchen drawer handles for the all-timber Kitchen.
West-facing glazing sits in the deep shade of a substantial eave overhang with a quirky equilateral triangle window set to opposing 30 degree roof pitches. Views from the upper level open up across Bulli to the grand Illawarra escarpment above.
The existing stairs are retained however they're closed off to the living room and opened up to the hallway providing more private interfaces between upstairs and downstairs. also providing better zoning for the house for heating in winter. Storage on Living and Hallway sides fits in beneath the stair.
A new deck is built to the rear of the house flush with the internal floor level and hovering above existing pavers which are retained for drainage below. A generous solid roof provides shelter to this outdoor space and shelters an outdoor storage wall. A sealed door between the storage wall and the house provides a winter wind break but lets summer breezes through.
Project: Helio House
Type: House
Location: Bulli NSW
Client: Private
Year: Completed 2022
Area: 199 sqm
Value: $450.0 k
Services: Architecture - Sketch Design, Design Development, Construction Documentation and advice
Team: Adam Russell and Suzy Pickles
Builder: Fisher Construction
Photography: © Saltbush Projects
Project code: 2008