The other point of difference is a central courtyard that separates the private wing from the more public side of the home – the latter including the kitchen and dining areas, with a sunken lounge that overlooks the rear courtyard.
“We love the way you can see though each of the spaces, from the kitchen bench to the street,” says the owner, who wanted to be connected to passing foot traffic but, at the same time, have a sense of separation (the timber-battened facade creates a “veil” to the street). “It’s quite a dense area so we certainly wanted a feeling of calmness.”
These courtyards, with the gardens designed by landscape architect Robyn Barlow, certainly create a sense of tranquillity, as does the limited palette in the interiors, a hallmark of Kennon’s designs.
You can see though each of the spaces, from the kitchen bench to the street.Credit: Derek Swalwell
Granite benches in the kitchens and granite floors, including the treads of one of the staircases, are complemented by American oak joinery, walls and ceilings – with the latter over the sunken lounge expressed with chunky beams.
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Light from skylights camouflaged in the beams continually animates the home’s painted brick walls. And although the house is two levels up, they excavated to create a laundry, drying room and gym below ground – not dissimilar to other Victorian homes on the street that benefit from a basement.
The new home replaced a derelict single level Victorian cottage that was barely standing, but there are still remnants of its past. An old bluestone wall, shared with a neighbour, is a touchpoint for the area’s history.
But everything else has moved on. A double garage at the rear is accessed from a laneway. Some Victorian terraces have various changes in level. “I’ve used some of these changes in level to define spaces,” says Kennon, pointing out the few steps required to access the library located at the front of the house.
The kitchen and dining areas, with a sunken lounge, overlook the rear courtyard.Credit: Derek Swalwell
Likewise, the main living area at the rear, with its large sliding doors, creates a sense of intimacy and a strong connection to the garden. Orientated to the west, this lower level also diffuses the afternoon sunlight while still allowing for sight lines of the nearby city buildings. “We love the quality of the light but also the way each space tends to merge into another,” says the owner.
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