RENOVATE OR NOT?

There was much discussion between the owners of an old rundown fibro shack on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and numerous builders in regard to the merits of renovating the building and transforming it into a modern family beach house. Each builder approached, suggested demolition and construction of a new building as the only option to be taken.

The owners decided to consult a design professional for a further opinion. A site and building inspection by this Building Designer revealed that the footings, floor slab and framing were structurally sound and the flooring in excellent condition and ideal for sanding and polishing.

After considering the costs of demolition and the construction of the new structure, the clients agreed that renovating the existing building and constructing additions was a cost effective option. They also believed it was a responsible and ecologically sustainable approach to achieving their goals.

THE EXISTING BUILDING

The existing building was a two-storey unit block built in 1960 circa and consisted of a self-contained 2-bedroom unit on each level. A freestanding communal laundry and garage at ground level serviced the occupants.

The construction of the existing building consisted of a hardwood frame built over a concrete slab. The gable roof was pitched onto the frame and clad with corrugated asbestos cement sheet commonly found in Queensland. Two external stairs provided access to the upper level unit. The external wall cladding was horizontal asbestos cement sheeting.

THE DESIGN BRIEF

The clients originally had prepared a brief but after making an inspection of design projects by this Designer, suggested that they wanted to withhold their instructions. They did this with some false concerns that they would limit the development of a creative design by controlling the process too closely. Nevertheless, a brief was extracted, as it is the belief of this designer, that the interview process and the free expression of the client outlining their needs and expectations are paramount in achieving excellence in building. The success of a building design is measured not only in the beauty of its form and its function but also its attention to detail and the fulfilment of the client’s needs.

The clients agreed that they wanted to utilise the existing building and make modifications and additions to transform it into a contemporary Queensland beach house.

Outlines of the brief stated that it should be constructed in lightweight materials, and have 5 bedrooms of moderate size. Two of the bedrooms should be designed to cater for the population explosion particularly during the Easter and Christmas holidays, which are notorious for the arrival of multiple unexpected guests. These bedrooms needed to be flexible so that they could be utilised as a family room during “normal” periods. The master bedroom must have an ensuite and change room. A separate bathroom and possible separate toilet was desirable.

The kitchen, living and dining rooms were to be on an open plan and must be located on the upper level to take advantage of the beach and ocean views. A formal living room was not required, however, a roofed outdoor entertainment deck capable of seating 10 people around a table, should flow freely from each of the other rooms. A BBQ area must be easily accessible off the kitchen.

All decks were to be protected from the inclement weather, particularly the undesirable southeast winds whilst the northeast breezes were to be encouraged to cool the decks and flow through the house in summer.

To cater for visitors/guests a kitchenette, toilet and sleeping quarters was required to be self-contained with access to the main bathroom made available. Social interaction with guests should be encouraged yet a measure of privacy must be considered in the design. A swimming pool is required and all areas should have access to the pool deck and outdoor entertainment area to maximise the sub-tropical life style of the Queensland Sunshine Coast.

Covered accommodation for three cars is required. The third car being a vintage sports car is required to be housed separately. A wine cellar should complete the needs of the brief.

THE CHALLENGES

Before Renovation

After Renovation

To ensure that the renovations be cost effective, very little structural changes were made to the existing building. Window and door fenestrations were mostly left unchanged, except that the frames were replaced to be consistent with the new development and the existing plumbing was kept basically intact. A new pavilion was constructed away from the existing building to be later connected with a timber deck and swimming pool. This allowed the owners the option of a staged development; to continue living in the existing structure whilst building the new pavilion. Transferring to the completed pavilion facilitated the flow of construction onto the old structure.

As the upper level of the existing building was inadequate to accommodate all the requirements of the open plan that the clients requested, a small extension comprising the dining, kitchen and pantry was constructed over the pool deck below. This linked the two buildings together and created an undercroft, which gave weather protection to an area of the pool deck and covered access from the new pavilion to the main body of the house.

THE DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

The design philosophy was simply to create two separate building projects and link them together with a covered access. In pure terms, this project was a renovation of an old building and the construction of a new building sited along an east-west axis to maximise exposure to the north.

WEATHER PROTECTION

Living on the Sunshine Coast is the desired ambitions of many. And having an intelligent house design strategy to address the environment will make it even more luxurious. A building that relates to outdoor living and entertainment with the right balance of sunlight and breeze penetration is one of the goals in this design. The house is oriented to the north with decks to capture the winter sunlight and roofs to offer protection from the summer heat. Walls and plantation shutters offer controlled protection from the harsh southeast winds whilst the kitchen, dining and entertainment decks allow the morning sunlight to enter.

THE LAUNDRY + SURF CULTURE

In the design of this residence, the humble laundry is not an afterthought. It is literally the centre of the house, and links the two pavilions together. Apart from the kitchen, it is the functional heart of this Queensland beach house, designed to manage with the copious quantity of washing that living on the seaside generates.

A laundry cupboard behind bi-fold doors was located centrally in the undercroft to provide access to both the owners and guests alike whilst offering a level of privacy and convenience that a conventional laundry lacked. This was a cost effective solution to providing a spacious area for the sorting, washing and ironing of laundry as well as a fitting drop off point for sandy towels and board shorts. Timber decking ensured that the sand was managed and not tracked freely into the house.

GUEST ACCOMMODATION

Rather than design the development to contain five bedrooms when two of the rooms would not be required in most occasions, a multipurpose room utilised as a family or rumpus room was constructed. This space was designed to be divided by stack-back doors as the need arise for two separate bedrooms.

Consideration for a kitchenette and a bathroom in the guest accommodation was given, however, the local authority would define the development as a multiple dwelling in that situation. To avoid having to obtain planning approval and the more expensive construction needs of such a development, the clients requested that the bathroom be not included.

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	BDAA 2004 NATIONAL DESIGN AWARDS


	RESIDENTIAL RENOVATIONS + ADDITIONS MORE THAN $75,000
	"CARROTT RESIDENCE" : PROJECT BRIEF + SOLUTIONS