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.
Sandy Bay House
LOCATION + TRADITIONAL COUNTRY
The Palawa, Sandy Bay, Tasmania
CLIENT
Private
STATUS
Built (2014)
AWARDS
2015 RAIA TAS - Heritage Award 2015 RAIA TAS - Residential Alterations & Additions Award
media
Not applicable
PHOTOGRAPHY
1+2 Architecture with Rob Maver
Few private residences in Tasmania possess the architectural significance of this remarkable Federation Arts and Crafts home, C1908. The owners approached us with a vision to restore and secure the future of a property regarded as one of the state’s more important houses of its era and style.
They sought to retain its heritage significance while adapting it to support contemporary patterns of family living, requiring a careful balance between conservation, renewal and expansion.
KEY COLLABORATORS
+ Builder:
+ Landscape Architecture:
+ Quantity Surveyor:
+ Heritage Consultant:
+ ESD Consultant:
RED Sustainability Consultants
+ Building Surveyor:
+ Structural / Civil / Hydraulic Engineering:
Aldanmark Consulting Engineers
+ Mechanical + Electrical Engineering:
ECOS Consulting Engineers & Designers
+ Land Surveyor:
Place
The original house is distinguished by its complex forms, intricate craftsmanship and commanding architectural presence, complemented by a mature garden that forms an integral part of the property's heritage value. Meticulous restoration of heritage rooms reveals their richness, craftsmanship and sense of permanence, while new living spaces provide light-filled, flexible environments connected to landscape, river and mountain views.
The additions are discreetly positioned to the rear, are lesser in scale, and deliberately distinct from the original architecture. Their simplified geometry, transparency and refined detailing establish a clear contemporary expression while enabling the heritage building to remain the principal architectural presence.
Insulated precast concrete elements introduce durability, thermal performance and environmental resilience. Together, old and new form a cohesive whole, creating a place defined by architectural clarity, comfort and a deep respect for both heritage and setting.
Process
The project began with a detailed investigation of the house, its historic context and significance, original fabric and landscape setting. A heritage consultant's report informed the architectural principles guiding the work, including the removal of intrusive elements, restoration of original fabric and introduction of a contemporary extension clearly distinguishable from the existing building.
The restoration required extensive structural intervention alongside meticulous, craftsman-led renewal of original timber and plasterwork. The re-establishment of the mature garden was equally central to the project, recognising the landscape as an essential part of the property's heritage value.
Impact
This project demonstrates how significant heritage buildings can evolve without compromising their cultural value. Through careful restoration and considered expansion, the house has been equipped to serve future generations while retaining the qualities that make it exceptional. Its revitalised gardens further strengthen the connection between interior, landscape and place. As a result, the project secures the ongoing relevance of an important Tasmanian residence and reinforces the enduring value of thoughtful conservation and adaptation.
Awards + Jury Citation
RAIA Tasmania
2015
Heritage Award
“… The restoration, together with changes required to adapt the house to the needs of a 21st century family, has been carried out with great sensitivity and consummate skill on the part of the designers and the craftspeople.
A heritage consultant’s report formed the basis of the key architectural principles developed by the architects. These resulted in the removal of intrusive elements, the restoration of the heritage fabric and the design of an extension that is significantly different from the original building.”
Residential Alterations & Additions Award
“… Contrasting with the materials of the original house, the extension is essentially concrete and glass. Similarly, the original building with its complex façades and roof forms, contrasts with the flat-roofed cuboid that connects directly to the garden.
The extension is masterful with beautifully considered detailing and bold and generous spaces that pay respect, in a contemporary style, to the detail and scale of the original house.”
