Design Overview
Winnunga House is a major contemporary renovation of an existing single-storey acreage home in Dural, Sydney's Hills District. The design focuses on reworking the internal layout, introducing a modern skillion roof and updating the façade without substantially extending the original building footprint. The project also includes removing the existing swimming pool while retaining the property's established trees and rural character.
DA & CC Approval - The Hills Shire Council
More About This Project
The Brief
Transforming an Existing Acreage Home in Dural
The owners wanted to completely modernise their existing four-bedroom home on a five-acre property in Dural, without the expense and unnecessary demolition of a knockdown rebuild.
The brief involved reworking approximately 80% of the internal floor plan to create a more practical layout, together with a contemporary façade and a new roof design.
The existing swimming pool was also to be removed, while retaining the established trees and rural character of the property.
The home was situated on bushfire-prone land, with BAL-29 conditions identified at the existing dwelling and BAL-40 conditions nearby. These requirements also needed to be considered as part of the renovation.
The Design Response
Reconfiguring 80% of the Existing Floor Plan
Rather than extending the house, we focused on making better use of the substantial building already there.
We redesigned approximately 80% of the internal layout, reorganising the living spaces to better suit the owners' needs while retaining the existing building footprint.
This approach allowed us to achieve a major transformation without constructing a substantial extension.
Creating a Contemporary Façade and Skillion Roof
To give the home a completely different appearance, we replaced part of the existing roof with a contemporary skillion roof and redesigned the external façade.
Solar roof tiles were also incorporated into the design, providing an alternative to conventional roof-mounted solar panels.
The aim was to give the existing residence a modern architectural character while retaining its substantial structure and connection to the surrounding acreage.
Addressing Bushfire Requirements and Site Changes
The specialist bushfire assessment identified BAL-29 conditions at the existing dwelling and BAL-40 conditions nearby.
We considered these requirements when developing the roof alterations, façade changes and architectural documentation.
The design also included removing and filling the existing swimming pool while retaining the property's established trees and surrounding landscape.
We coordinated the required documentation for Development Application and Construction Certificate approval through The Hills Shire Council.
Project Outcome
DA & CC Approved Acreage Home Renovation | The Hills Shire Council
Winnunga House received both Development Application and Construction Certificate approval through The Hills Shire Council.
The approved design substantially reworks the existing four-bedroom residence, with approximately 80% of the floor plan reorganised, a contemporary skillion roof, updated façade and integrated solar roof tiles.
By retaining the original building footprint, we were able to achieve a major architectural redesign without the need for a complete knockdown rebuild or substantial extension.
The project demonstrates how an established acreage home can be transformed through careful planning and design while retaining the character of its rural setting.
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