This adaptive reuse of a former warehouse by Ian Moore Architects has maintained the exterior almost untouched, with only a few new windows inserted into existing openings. This soft touch has been extended to the interior, where original brick walls have been exposed and the large timber roof trusses highlighted as the starting point for the conversion to a family home.
The brief called for a 4 bedroom home, with self contained guest accommodation, a home office, to be used as an equine genetics laboratory and a large garage space to store a collection of classic sports cars. There was a strong emphasis on maintaining an industrial feel to the conversion and the owners asked that there be no timber, marble or black finishes used in the renovation.
A very large, hot/cold and noisy space has been transformed into a comfortable family home by locating all household spaces on the upper level, effectively a single storey house. Material and furniture choices provide comfort, low maintenance and colour to enliven the space.
New work is complementary but clearly distinguished from original fabric through a rigorous application of the concept of retention, recycling and reinforcing the original form and spatial qualities of the warehouse, while inserting a series of refined and elegant new elements to contrast with and compliment the original, with no sentimental or nostalgic reinvention of a warehouse aesthetic.(Published with Bowerbird).
Photography : Rory Gardiner
