Cubo House
Located next to the Edinburgh Gardens (Fitzroy North), this project comprises alterations and additions to an existing double storey heritage-listed dwelling.
The small & dysfunctional rear portion of the existing house has been demolished & replaced with a new contemporary and sustainable three storey house (including basement). The front double storey Victorian section has been entirely retained & upgraded.
The existing house suffered from limited solar access as it was the southern component of a semi-detached pair. The responding design includes a central light-well which delivers natural light & air to the basement & all adjacent spaces via a window wall made of salvaged existing windows.
The old stair which presented safety concerns has been removed. Some of its salvaged elements have been fashioned into a chandelier, and some into a loft bed to provide bedtime fun for the smaller occupants. The new bespoke stair spirals above & below to create a voluminous entry foyer & connect all levels.
The concept applies the surrealist technique “Cubomania” to catalogue, re-use & re-invent the demolished building materials. This technique is evident in the external brickwork & corresponding adjacent landscape and is followed through within the various carefully detailed internal spaces.
Practical Completion is due in May, 2013.