1+2 Architecture acknowledges the Palawa people as the traditional custodians of lutruwita, the lands on which our company is located and where we conduct our business. We pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present. We are committed to honouring Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society.
Cranford
LOCATION + TRADITIONAL COUNTRY
The Palawa, Sandy Bay, Tasmania
CLIENT
Lucy + Ross
STATUS
Built (2019)
AWARDS
2019 Houses Awards - Shortlist: House in a Heritage Context
media
Real Estate Article - ‘Careful considered contemporary addition to historic Cranford’
PHOTOGRAPHY
1+2 Architecture
Cranford represents the renewal of a significant Federation Arts and Crafts residence for a family seeking to reconcile heritage stewardship with the demands of contemporary living. The owners approached the project with a clear ambition: to protect the architectural legacy of a heritage-listed home while enabling it to support modern patterns of occupation and family life.
The challenge lay in balancing preservation with transformation. Rather than treating the building as a static artefact, the project celebrates its continuing evolution. This shared commitment to design excellence established the foundation for a highly collaborative process between the design team, heritage authorities and client/builder.
KEY COLLABORATORS
+ Builder:
2H Pty Ltd
+ Building Surveyor:
+ Structural Engineering:
+ Geotechnical Engineering:
+ Land Surveyor:
Place
The transformation of Cranford was guided by careful consideration of the existing home, its heritage significance relationship to the site and the broader landscape.
Our investigation revealed exceptional craftsmanship, material richness and proportion, all of which informed the design response. Close consultation with heritage authorities ensured that the values of the original building were understood and reinforced throughout the process. Rather than replicating historical forms, the design seeks a clear and confident dialogue between old and new. This approach allowed contemporary interventions to achieve a contrasting yet harmonious relationship with the heritage building while enhancing the liveability, functionality and spatial experience of the home.
Process
Particular care was taken in the interplay of form, materials and construction detail. Rather than seeking to replicate the original architecture, the new works establish their own expression, allowing the inherent qualities of both the heritage building and contemporary addition to be appreciated.
The extension creates a private sleeping retreat on the upper level, separated from the existing house by a light-filled void. Appearing to float above a series of portal frames, the upper level sits lightly over the lower living spaces, with the frames extending beyond the building to form a pergola.
On the lower level, full-height glazing establishes a seamless connection between the living spaces and the north-facing landscaped terrace. In contrast, the more enclosed upper level carefully frames views across the rooftops to the distant mountain, balancing outlook with privacy.
The relationship between old and new is central to the design, with each intervention considered as part of a cohesive whole. The result is an architectural response that retains the character and craftsmanship of Cranford while allowing the home to function in new and more generous ways.
“You nailed the brief....tangible design came from pipe dreams, usable and inviting spaces were created from nothing but brilliant architecture and active imaginations. We asked, you delivered.
There is not a room or space in the house that is now underutilised. It has changed both the way the home functions and how we function in the home. We live in all of it, not just part of it. It’s beautiful, bright, warm and oozes good vibes. We love it.”
Lucy & Ross — Clients
Impact
Cranford demonstrates how heritage buildings can remain relevant and enduring through thoughtful adaptation. By preserving the cultural and architectural significance of the original residence, the project extends the life of an important piece of Tasmania’s built heritage. Its value lies not only in restoration, but in proving that thoughtful, design-led change can enrich rather than diminish historic places.
Awards + Jury Citation
