The Brief
Heritage Restoration & Contemporary Extension
Avoca House is a significant late-19th century residence thoughtfully reimagined through careful restoration and bold contemporary intervention. Set on an expansive parcel comprising multiple titles, the project required close collaboration with heritage specialists, structural engineers, architects and environmental consultants to ensure both preservation and progression were handled with integrity.
A defining move within the project was the relocation of the original colonial dwelling to accommodate a subterranean art gallery beneath. Once repositioned, the home was meticulously stripped back to reveal and restore its original fabric, including the careful treatment of historic VJ walls. A newly constructed wrap-around veranda, crafted from reclaimed timber, reinterprets traditional detailing while reinforcing the home’s heritage character.
Flanking the restored homestead are two striking contemporary forms in concrete and glass. These pavilions provide a deliberate architectural contrast — light and transparency set against solid mass — creating a dialogue between old and new. Steel and reclaimed timber link bridges connect the structures, allowing each element to remain distinct yet unified.
One living wing is defined by a sculptural curved concrete roofline that gently frames a protected heritage tree, integrating landscape and architecture. A suspended slab system was engineered to safeguard the tree’s root zone while forming the foundation of the new structure. Expansive glazing and substantial stacking doors dissolve the boundary between interior and garden, creating an open, light-filled environment beneath soaring ceilings.
The opposing wing was conceived as a private retreat — a self-contained suite accessed via its own bridge entry. Designed as a sanctuary within the broader residence, it opens onto a tranquil garden setting and incorporates generous living spaces with a quiet, retreat-like atmosphere.
Avoca House represents a careful balance of reverence and innovation — honouring its colonial origins while introducing confident contemporary architecture that elevates the estate into its next chapter.
