The Sydney Morning Herald, October 28, 2004, Domain.

"LOVE YOUR WORK"

Intrepid architect Pat Nicholas has ventured where not too many in his profession dare to go, not only designing the alterations and additions to his Californian Bungalow in Rose Bay but also undertaking most of the building work. With confidence gained from labouring on various building sites white putting himself through university, Nicholas says that is was liberating to be client, architect and builder.

"You really experiment and ideas can be refined as you go along. Although the effort of construction was all consuming, it was a great joy," says Nicholas, who worked alongside two carpenter friends.

Nicholas runs his office from a converted garage at street level, which meant that much formal documentation was unnecessary. "Most of the details could be resolved on site - hammer in hand - using the building itself as a 1:1 scale model." The 1940's home had been earmarked for demolition but, at the 11th hour the previous owner reconsidered and decided to sell. Nicholas leapt at the chance to tackle the derelict house on its steeply sloping site.

"In dealing with the difficult issues you get a better outcome because you have to think more deeply about the project and respond to the challenges," he says. Entry to the house is on the upper level through the original bungalow, with its low-pitched gable roofs and casement windows. There has been a sympathetic restoration, with characteristic features, such as leadlight and decorative plaster ceilings, all carefully repaired. This front section contains bathrooms and bedrooms for children, Sophie, aged three, and Sam, one, plus a guest room. In contrast the new addition is a finely detailed, lightweight steel structure bolted to the back of the bungalow. It includes living areas and there is a feeling of airiness and transparency due to the floor-to-ceiling glazing and the double-height volume of space.

Before the renovation, the front section of the house was dark and disconnected from the much lower back garden. To remedy this, Nicholas added a large sculptural light well above the foyer, ensuring morning sun is drawn into the heart of the house.

He joined the existing central foyer to a new stairwell in the middle of the house. The stairwell drops steeply into the dramatic new addition and, from the entrance hall, the eye is drawn to glimpses of treetops in the lush tropical back garden. To tame the harsh afternoon sun, the extensions' western-facing skin is layered for summer protection: the glass is grey tinted, there are external cedar venetian blinds, a retractable awning spans the back deck and tall palm trees give shade. In winter the northern highlight windows welcome sun into the living space.

The kitchen is next to the living area and overlooks a deck. The deck's stained tallow wood flooring folds up at each side incorporating a built in gas barbecue on the kitchen end and, opposite, a day bed for lounging. From design to construction, Nicholas was mindful of environmental sustainability. He chose lightweight, insulated and recyclable materials wherever possible. He also adopted passive solar design principles by taking into account orientation and encouraging cross ventilation through both the existing and the new parts of the building.

A rainwater tank underneath the raised deck collects roof run-off for the garden. Even simple measures such as the thoughtful selection of paint colours played a part. "At the back, to subdue the hot pink of the settings sun, strong colours with a green base where chosen to absorb the redness," Nicholas' wife Alex says.

The exception is the dining room, tucked beneath the original house. With its; standard-height ceiling, it contrasts with the adjacent, soaring, double-height living room. To reinforce the intimate feel, walls are rich wine-red. On its back wall, which marks the end of the old house, external wall lights have been used internally. "The neighbours say that at night the house glows though the trees like a giant lantern," she says.

- Judy Barouch