I've been asked again about old projects. About which I really should talk more.
Here's one that was slightly unusual, renovation of a large old colonial home that led me to turn down a large job later.
The house was originally in Parnell -- part of the Foundation for the Blind complex directly opposite a vet clinic I'd helped establish -- and been moved out to a rural property in Drury some years prior. But never quite established.
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| Original elevation |
It had been moved, but without any grace. Not having been a home for many years, and then simply plonked down in a field, we joked it felt more like a Soviet Embassy than a family home. The brief of course was to reverse that. To add comfort with some seamless and "surgical additions" -- decent living, kitchen, family areas, bedrooms and a pool -- and so we did. At least it had been oriented well ...
Unhappily for the project however, just as the job was completed Drury was transformed by rezoning. And the former rural family home with views over water instead became the "clubhouse" for a large retirement village. For which I was offered the opportunity to continue the renovation, but felt I had to decline.
Too soon.
Still. the former owners were able to re-establish their dream home in a rural idyll further south. And much of what we'd done has been retained...
