Laureston House

Winner

Heritage Buildings / Adaptive Re-use

LAURESTON HOUSE Designer: James Cooper

Practice: Sanctum Design Web: sanctumdesign.com.au Photographer: Simon Whitbread & James Cooper

DESIGN

Sanctum Design has a long history of producing buildings of exceptional quality and this historical residence on Sydney's North Shore is no exception. With a State Heritage listing this beautiful residence is identified by its Georgian sandstone cottage and its federation wing extension, whereby the Project Designer, James Cooper has masterfully inserted a respectful addition which both celebrates the original architecture and yet makes a distinct statement of modern materiality and passive solar design strategies.

Combined with generous grounds and the Owners passion for gardening, this project represents an ideal connection between landscape and building both inside and out whilst embracing the fine balance between historical elements and contemporary design ideals. Hence, with the recycling and re-adaption of original materials such as brick and sandstone combined with the contrasting black steel detailing, this project brings a crisp, honest and purposeful addition within this historical setting. A larger rainwater storage area, generous solar energy system and climate conscious design make this project a fine example of how we must move forward with modern design practices whilst not forgetting its past.