GROUND CONTROL
PROJECT
The reuse of original and second-hand materials show that a great home can be created without the need to pull down old structures and that historical inner-city suburbs don’t need to be knocked down and filled with modern apartments and townhouses Left The living space was redesigned to include a personal library and sitting room
Above Bryce managed to retain the house's old character by sourcing materials and furnishings from deceased estates
neighbourhood as to its history and previous residents. Upon uncovering the history from some long-lived locals, knocking down the home was out of the question. With its well-kept, yet old-fashioned interiors and solid design, the home became the foundation for Bryce’s very own bachelor pad and gentleman’s retreat. Using knowledge and skills learnt throughout his career he single-handedly set to work making his vision a reality. Interior renovations served to open up the internal space of the three-bedroom home. Its modest living, dining and rear verandah spaces would be totally transformed. A ‘master suite’, with bathroom and extensive walk-in-wardrobe would replace the spaces of the original bedrooms. The living space was redesigned to include a personal library and sitting room. The furnishings and decorative detailing have been sourced from around the globe and are testament to the well-travelled nature of their owner. Many pieces retain a sense of the old
colonial style and help to shape the home into a living space that Ernest Hemingway himself would be proud to live in. As previously stated, retention of the building’s original character was paramount to its new purpose. Non-level or plumb walls and details were kept in their original state and many newly acquired pieces in the home came from deceased estates to help maintain the old character. New paint was applied by hand to mimic the effect of the old lead paints of the original palette. The colours have been kept neutral and warm, with a splash of highlighting to make the details pop. This all serves Bryce’s desire to eschew the modern look and create a home that carries with it a sense of poise and history, each piece and detail carrying with it the essence of its past. The home, however, is not without new additions. An entry deck was designed and built to serve as a buffer between the front gardens and the main entrance into the home. The rear deck was resized and rebuilt into a grand summer living space, which opens up to the outside world with the aid of fold-out aluminium louvres. The ‘backyard’ has been replaced by English-style formal grounds; these serve as a verdant backdrop for the outside living room.
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