Curtin:

Landing a project into a mid-20th century Radburn housing suburb had its twists and turns. Where is the front? Originally at the path side, the cul-de-sac entry turned the emphasis of arrival to the road. 

Well, the pathside area became labelled the deadside of the house since all of the activity was over towards the roadside. So here was an opportunity to add and readdress the house.

Between existing vegetation and balancing protection from the western sun, a bifurcated new addition compliments the existing gabled structure. Natural light is filtered into the centre of the house through the new courtyard that preserves the flowering crab-apple tree. Around this, new rooms and open planning within the existing allowed a new house to grow.

Finally the new addition’s fascade folds, floats and balances tank bookends to readdress a front to the path.