Vanstan House

This project is a substantial alteration of a mud brick house built in the mid 1980’s. The original mud brick house was in good condition and has a very clear timber post and beam construction that frames and orders the existing spaces. The existing house has a north orientation and is sited with views to a dam which is fed by a winter creek.  The project involves keeping the existing house and making some targeted interventions that build on the original design, opening the living, dining and kitchen areas to the views and northern sun, reinforcing the rythmn of the red gum hardwood posts and adding two new wings to the east and west of the living area that house three new bedrooms. The original bedroom was altered to become a study and the kitchen was redesigned to open to the living and dining areas as well to the views to the dam.

Where existing mud brick walls were removed the mud bricks were salvaged and re-used to extend the height of existing mud brick walls and repair existing walls. New work uses raw 9mm Barestone cladding to make clear the extent of the original mud brick house. Locally sourced recycled hardwood is used for all new timber posts and beams.