Vader House by Andrew Maynard Architects

Designed by Maynard Architects, The Vader House is an extension to a Victorian terrace in the dense inner-city. The high boundary walls, built in disregard of existing height regulations long before such rules were created, permitted a non-standard height along the northern boundary. The roofline then abruptly turns to follow the dictated set-back lines, resulting in a playful and telling interpretation of planning rules.

All the new works surround an outdoor courtyard space which becomes the new centre of the house- accessed by a series of glass doors it is the opposite of the dark masonry-clad rooms of the old house. The refined palate of materials is subverted where volumes are removed to reveal the flesh inside - coloured bright red with glass tiles and joinery.

The Vader House presents a series of contradictions which unify creating a new pulse for this Victorian terrace. A large extension to the rear of the building holds dimensions only possible due to the high boundary walls, built in disregard of existing height regulations long before such rules were created, which permitted a non-standard height along the northern boundary.

The design as a whole is both playful with a bold use of colour, outdoor pool and mezzanine level, yet practical offering sensible zoning of the living, bathing and working areas and a rational movement order within the space.

With double-height ceilings, exterior brick facades reclaimed as interior walls, a hard-edged staircase and large steel chimneys, the interior presents an industrial aesthetic but remains homely by careful use of lighting, compartmentalising of the zones and the social interpretation of the space - the living, cooking, working and playing zones all within audible and visual reach of one another.

Transparency of the double-height glass facade and glazed corridor leading to the main building and the double folding doors to the courtyard and pool connect the indoor and outdoor spaces creating a new outdoors centre to the property and uniting all three spaces as a whole.