The Hazelwood House, by Energy Architecture
The first job John Maitland was given on this build was to tear down everything.
His clients, an older couple looking to downsize after their kids flew the nest, wanted to replace their Cape Cod-style house and erect a smaller, high-sustainablity abode.
From his first stroll round the site, Maitland, an architect with local firm Energy Architecture, wasn’t sure that was such a good idea.
“On the first visit I suggested that the ground floor of the old house was in really good structural condition, and the finishes were in good state; lots of solid walls and beautiful jarrah floors, and good ceiling heights, too.
“So I recommended that we remove the upper level, leave the floor and therefore the ceiling to the ground floor in place, and add to the front.
“We could use more front garden without causing Burnside Council too much heartburn, so we added the study sections to the front of the old house rooms and turned them into all bedrooms.”
His argument was compelling and ultimately successful. With the backing of the homeowners, Maitland has constructed a relaxed, light and airy white-washed building complex full of nice touches – wood frames, subtle curves, intersecting lines, and windows that stretch up and up.
His favourite aspect of the build is the way the old house has been “subsumed” by the new structure.
“Probably the success of incorporating the old in such a seamless way, but the client’s creative involvement was huge, and the result is every bit theirs.
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“I’m very happy with the front elevation, and really pleased with how the spaces feel, and look and function; the whole house is fresh and alive.”
Completed, the house has brought the family back together again.
“[When we started the build] their offspring were of an age to leave home, one already had, and the other soon after – however, the house brought them back again.”
To cater for that, Maitland built a separate living space for the parents which has direct access to the house’s lap pool. They also get their own en suite.
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