bridging the centuries From the outside, the Bronte house is a picture-perfect historic cottage. Inside, it’s all about 21st century eco-sensibilities. Story: Gabrielle Chariton bright interiors awash with natural light Photos: Brett Boardman Photography modern: crisp white walls, set off by the exposed jack it up any more we had to add concrete ceilings, black anodised window frames floor battens to make it look level.’ and lights, and American oak flooring. The extension was designed and The upper level comprises three bedrooms constructed to maximise liveability and a bathroom; an open-plan kitchen and living and thermal comfort. The solar- space extends across the ground floor, opening via passive design translates into bright aluminium-framed, floor-to-ceiling glazing onto the interiors awash with natural light. back garden. A suspended concrete slab and The first stage of the 18-month construction reverse brick veneer construction were project involved completely restoring and renovating employed in tandem to maximise the the existing cottage. thermal mass within the home. Mesh screening THE STAIRS WERE ‘The original house was very run down, and when positioned at the eaves shields the interiors PIECED TOGETHER we started demolishing it, we discovered that the from solar gain in the summer, and the windows LIKE A JIGSAW PUZZLE whole house wasn’t level; it was leaning to one are placed to capture the cooling afternoon side,’ Aaron says. ‘We literally removed half the sea-breezes. back of the house and tried to pull the walls back In winter, the home’s thermal mass absorbs the into place with straps and pulley systems, just to sun’s warmth during the day and releases it slowly get it closer to plumb. overnight (when Sydney temperatures can edge ‘The floors were also a mess, we had to jack below 10 degrees celsius). Aaron says a solar- sections up to make it level, and where we couldn’t boosted, gas-powered hydronic heating system MAY 2018 HOUSING 63 INTERIORS