Victorian
style residence for Mr & Mrs Pretty
BRIEF
To design a
replica of a double storey, double fronted Victorian villa residence, whilst
catering for the young families growing needs. The given budget was approximately
$175,000
APPROACH
The block the
owners had, was one incorporating a ridge about 1/3 back from the street,
with commanding views both ways. The house was designed with the main living
areas downstairs, formal to the front and informal to the rear, flowing
directly to an entertaining area outside. The upper required a large master
bedroom to double as a retreat area, incorporating a walk-through wardrobe
and en' suite bathroom. The placement of the en' suite above the dining
room called for a coffered ceiling to allow for plumbing pipes. This also
created an impressive effect when 12v downlights were installed in the
lowered section. Use of "Hyspan" floor joists reduced the floor to floor
level, saving two rows of bricks in the solid brick lower floor. Small
savings like this enabled money to be spent on the stone, plasterwork,
and such details.
The roof on
the upper storey was constructed using the "pole plate" method. This achieved
an extra two courses of bricks, and allowed for a corbel course to finish
the verandah under, whilst retaining a 2.7m ceiling height internally.
RESULT
The couple moved
in January 1995, and were delighted with the design, and fully appreciative
of the consultation and mediation I provided during construction.