Ashton

Extensive alterations and additions to an old terrace house in Queenspark. The house is located within a Heritage Conservation Zone of Waverley Council. The front façade was retained to respect the existing heritage character of the streetscape. The first-floor alterations and additions were cleverly, concealed behind the existing front facade including a third bedroom which was designed to fit comfortably within the lower, existing roof form.

The existing terrace house was dark, with limited connection to the rear yard. The client’s brief was to create a family home with as much natural, sunlight as possible. The terrace house was very dark due its South orientation. The family of four, had been living in the existing terrace house for many years, enduring cold, dark, miserable winters.

The concept was to create North facing, high-level windows through the centre of the plan. These North facing windows allow the sun to access the first-floor bedrooms and bathrooms. The North facing sun can also penetrate the lower ground floor by means of a large void in the centre of the home. The motorised Altair louvers allow for natural air flow during the warmer summer months. At ground floor hydronic heating warms up the timber floor ensuring thermal comfort throughout the year. Circulation was also re-imagined in favour of a split-level design.  The stair design helps break the traditional long passage of a terrace home.

Justine Reef exceeded her clients’ expectations of what a terrace house renovation could provide in terms of natural light, efficient circulation, visual connection of all floor levels, sufficient accommodation for the family and guests as well as appropriate working from home zones for an executive husband and wife.

Justine Reef was responsible for managing the entirety of the project namely, Architecture, Council negotiations, interior design, tendering to builders, builder selection and contract administration.

Photography: daniellaphotography.com.au

Rose Bay

The project involved extensive renovations to a house originally built in the 1970s. Initially outdated and lacking connection to the rear garden, the decision was made to preserve the existing brick and concrete structure for its financial, time-saving, and environmental advantages. By stripping the structure down to its core, a completely new home was created.

One significant addition was a screened balcony on the first floor, strategically positioned to maximize exposure to northern sunlight.  The original street facade had minimal openings. The ground floor was also reconfigured to enhance access to natural light from the North, supplemented by the introduction of skylights. These modifications not only improved thermal efficiency but also facilitated better circulation and fostered a stronger connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.

The outcome was a markedly positive living environment that exceeded the expectations of the clients and their family.

Photography: daniellaphotography.com.au

Hastings Parade

Extensive alterations and additions to an existing 1930’s home.

Adhering to the client’s strict budget informed most of the design decisions, namely retaining the existing external walls, internal floor structure and existing roof framing.

The brief was to celebrate outdoor living by creating a flexible, useable, entertainers’ paradise.  This was successfully achieved by providing a generous undercover entertaining area with ceiling heaters and full height, wide, sliding doors.  An above ground pool was designed to reduce excavation, address the height of the rear retaining wall and to maximise sun exposure during the Summer months.

According to the clients the North facing rear garden, pool and terrace has become the most used room in the house.

The internal gutting of the existing ground floor and insertion of a new plan layout was successfully achieved by creating two centrally located service cores.  One core houses the guest toilet and laundry while the opposite core accommodates the kitchen scullery.  These are the only enclosed spaces within the larger ground floor plan.  The two service cores successfully create a divide between the front and rear of the house while still allowing for visual connection and circulation which is enhanced by their curved walls.  Visual and acoustic privacy is achieved by seamless cavity sliders which can be closed when desired.

Justine Reef exceeded her clients’ expectations in terms of working with the existing house structure while still managing to transform the way the family can now positively enjoy every aspect of their home by the beach.

Justine Reef was responsible for managing the entirety of the project from Architecture and Interior design, Council negotiations, tendering to builders, builder selection and contract administration.

Photography: daniellaphotography.com.au & ruthgold.com

Serpentine

Extensive alterations and additions to an existing home built in the 1970’s.

Justine was engaged by her clients as an interior architect. She assisted with internal planning and was responsible for all the interiors throughout the home.

Towns

Justine was engaged by her close, personal friends to design their “forever home.”

The brief was to create a three-level home with swimming pool.  The clients wanted a “Hampton style” aesthetic. Justine had designed her friend’s previous home, so a good working relationship had already been established.

The brief for the new home was for it to feel luxurious and cater efficiently for entertaining large numbers of guests.

This project exceeded the client’s expectations in terms of its space planning, view selection, natural light levels (the house faces South) and privacy.

Justine prepared a comprehensive joinery package and selected all the fittings and fixtures throughout.

Justine interpreted the clients “Hampton style” request by infusing contemporary elements with the design brief, thereby resulting in a Sydney home with a unique design aesthetic.

Portland

Joint venture with KA Design Studio

Justine was engaged to design a new, three level home with swimming pool for a couple and their three children.

There was always the potential for re-sale at construction completion, so the brief was to design the home, not only for the client’s needs, but also for a potential purchaser.

The clients favoured modernist, seamless planning and interiors. Justine was responsible for the phases of Sketch Design and Development Application Documentation to Waverley Council. Meetings with the Senior Planner at Waverley Council were required in order to achieve DA approval.

Justine managed this process without input from a Town Planner. She was also responsible for the comprehensive joinery package and the selection of fittings and fixtures throughout the home.

KA Design Studio were responsible for construction documentation, site administration and design development while Justine was living in Hong Kong.

The clients were thrilled with the end result and decided not to sell what is now their family home.

Ramsgate A

An old beach bungalow was demolished and replaced with two, four level homes.  Through the use of clever space planning and sleek design lines, two spacious attached, contemporary homes were created.

The Council process and neighbor negotiations were challenging, but an ambitious floor space ratio was ultimately achieved.  Excavation into sand also proved a challenge, however this was overcome with careful planning and competent engineering details.

Considered Council and neighbor negotiations, careful earthworks and construction, as well as integrated joinery and seamless space planning resulted in a successful project that exceeded expectations.

Gilgandra

An old cottage was demolished to better address the needs of a couple and their two young children.

The site had a steep slope from the street to the rear garden, but the client’s brief was to create as few stairs as possible leading out from the living areas onto the rear garden and swimming pool.

The brief for an almost level rear entertaining terrace and garden led to the concept of a split-level entry. This layout exceeded the client’s expectations as they love the seamless flow of the spaces within. Natural ventilation, good sunlight and privacy from neighbour’s were also carefully considered throughout the design process.

Justine was responsible for the project from the initial sketch design drawings through to the construction on site.

Ramsgate B

An old beach bungalow was demolished and replaced with two, four level homes.  Through the use of clever space planning and sleek design lines, two spacious attached, contemporary homes were created.

The Council process and neighbor negotiations were challenging, but an ambitious floor space ratio was ultimately achieved.  Excavation into sand also proved a challenge, however this was overcome with excellent builders and engineering details.  Considered Council and neighbor negotiations, careful earthworks and construction, as well as integrated joinery and seamless space planning resulted in a successful project that exceeded expectations.

Bourke

Justine worked with the clients, who were close personal friends, from project inception to completion on this extensive renovation of an existing terrace house.

At completion, the house reflected the client’s personality.  Clever space planning within a limited building envelope and timeless material selections have meant that the house still functions efficiently today.

The house has a timeless aesthetic that is clear to all who visit.