Design Strategy
To meet the brief, NVDC doubled the footprint of the house with an L-shaped extension that wraps around the east and south elevations:
- East elevation: Bedrooms positioned to capture morning light.
- South elevation: Open-plan kitchen, dining, and lounge areas maximise garden views and sunlight.
- Veranda: Provides solar shading and a sheltered outdoor space for year-round enjoyment.
The central core houses utility and support spaces, while circulation flows around it, creating a dynamic and intuitive layout. Rooflights bring daylight deep into the plan and add drama to key spaces like the entrance and hallway.
Accessibility & Futureproofing
The original split-level layout posed accessibility challenges. NVDC’s redesign places the master suite and main living areas on a single level, ensuring full accessibility and futureproofing the home. Wider hallways enhance movement and create a gallery-like experience throughout the house.
Sustainability Features
This project is a benchmark for sustainable retrofit architecture:
- Materials: Zinc cladding, composite timber, and waterproof render for durability and low maintenance.
- Insulation: Full upgrade to current building regulations, including walls, floors, and roof.
- Windows: Triple-glazed Rationel windows and double-glazed curtain walling for thermal performance.
- Heating: Entirely powered by an air source heat pump with underfloor heating.
Client Experience
‘It’s a place that’s full of light even on a grey day. The minute you walk into the house you have the rooflight above you which makes the entrance so bright and inviting. The different materials in the interiors reflect the light in interesting ways. You feel the expanse of the open plan spaces with all the light.’
‘Its amazing to us that although the house is almost 3000 sq feet, it feels like everything is close to you. It doesn’t feel like any part of the house is miles away, we always feel part of it. And we can see so much of the garden now that wasn’t possible before. It’s given us the lifestyle that we wanted, and there is a real sense of calm throughout the whole house.’
Client Testimonial
Read our full article on this project
Conclusion
The Gables is not just a renovation—it’s an award-winning example of how architectural innovation can breathe new life into existing structures. By combining sustainability, accessibility, and luxury, NVDC Architects have created a home that is both timeless and future-ready.
