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| Sloping Site |
| This renovation was necessary because the owners had designed the house before they had kids. Now that the children have arrived, they've had to make a couple of changes inside. |
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The most obvious feature is that the land wasn't cut and filled under the house. Instead, the owners used lightweight materials to allow them to build on the existing site. This meant they could take advantage of any surrounding views and allow winds to cool the area under the house in the hot Queensland summer.
The house is spilt into two levels. Living and entertaining spaces are upstairs, while downstairs are the four bedrooms.
Several aspects of the house have had to be changed. One of the original design ideas was to have a horizontal theme throughout the house. Unfortunately this meant that many features became climbing frames for the kids. When the owners first set out to design their home, they wanted large entertaining areas and open-plan spaces, and weren't at all concerned that the house was going to be high off the ground.
1
The handrails on the verandah were doubled in height because the owners didn't want to take the risk of a child falling over the edge.
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Plastic covers were placed over the handrails along the stairs. The owners also put some gates on the stairs to stop the children from wandering.
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The owners rearranged the house so the children would have four or five different play areas. Out the back, they fenced in the whole area to form another play area, where they ripped out the existing garden and put in a sandpit and swing.
Remember: when you get something designed today, it may not be suitable for tomorrow.
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More Info
Henri van Riet Architects Pty Ltd, 31 Hewitt St, Wilston QLD 4051. Ph: (07) 3356 5521 or fax: (07) 3856 2441.
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Disclaimer
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