Hill House
A home shaped by context, light and landscape
Responding to a challenging site
With an existing house located at the bottom of a steep hill with an imposing driveway and lengthy staircase, the approach to the original house was less than ideal and an existing pool at the top of the property remained detached from the living spaces of the home.
The client’s brief was for a renovation that would create a stronger connection to both the street and the existing pool, while inviting more natural light and ventilation into the home.
Reworking the form and layout
The solution was to build an extension onto the original house that straddled over the steep driveway and terraced yards with a new living, dining and kitchen area contained in the new additions, now oriented for better access, natural lighting and natural ventilation.
Each level tiers further up towards the pool and street closing the gap between the house and the entry to the property.
The older part of the original home, which was oriented less-favourably for natural light, was repurposed into bedroom spaces, making good use of the existing building.
Reconnecting to the street and landscape
At the street level, a new fence and gatehouse provides a new “front door” that opens up to a courtyard of gardens and decking wrapping around the original swimming pool connecting these outdoor spaces with the new kitchen and dining area.
Turning constraints into opportunity
The design of this home took the challenging slope of the site and transformed it into an opportunity, rather than a constraint, making use of the existing structures on the property whilst totally reinventing the home.
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Extension bridging over a steep driveway and terraced landscape
New living, dining and kitchen spaces located within the addition
Tiered design stepping up towards the street and pool
Reconfiguration of the existing home with bedrooms relocated to the original structure
Strengthened connection between house, street and pool
Introduction of a new gatehouse and defined entry sequence at street level
Courtyard, gardens and decking wrapping around the existing pool
Improved indoor-outdoor connection between living spaces and landscape
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Design response to a steep and constrained site
Reorientation of living spaces to improve natural light and ventilation
Adaptive reuse of the existing structure to maximise efficiency
Use of level changes to resolve circulation and access challenges
Integration of landscape and built form to unify previously disconnected elements
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Architect Ironbark Architecture
Lead architect Chris Freeburn
Builder Intrend Building
Photography Andy Macpherson
We'd love to chat to you about your project
Tell us about it or give Chris a call on 0416 130 246