丨澳大利亚堪培拉丨buck&simple,Texture Studio

Ainslie Cottage

Government-built Home Lovingly Transformed Into a Mid-century Gem

Ainslie Cottage

by

buck&simple

&

Texture Studio

Architect:

buck&simple

Designer:

Texture Studio

Photographs:

Anne Stroud

article Size:

120 m

2

Location:

Ainslie

,

Canberra

,

Australian Capital Territory

,

Australia

Working with the bones of this post-war, government-built home and inserting new elements of colour and texture as well as connecting it to the outdoors has created a vibrant family home with an appropriate dose of mid-century flair...

Ainslie Cottage

in the

inner-Canberra suburb of the same name

had great bones and proportions, it just needed to be updated to suit a modern family lifestyle. Architects

buck&simple

worked with interior designer

Texture Studio

to create a modern home with mid-century character.

Importantly, the cottage needed better access to the garden to take advantage of a decent-sized yard. A new deck at the same level as the interior helps to draw people out into the garden. A large new window and door connect the kitchen and dining area to the deck and, in turn, celebrates leafy views of the garden. The red bricks and classic gable form of the home now feel balanced and highlighted from the garden.

The placement of new windows was key to improving the home's cross-ventilation and natural light. This will reduce the need for air-conditioning and heating, to create a more sustainable and environmentally sensitive home.

"A soft green and white colour palette draws inspiration from the natural setting with each window having an outlook to the native Australian landscaped setting of the home", explains the architect.

Timber is used extensively, bringing warmth and texture to the home while also nodding towards mid-century details. "A continuation of polished timber flooring tie together the natural timber details in the timber windows, picture rails, benches and joinery", explains the architect.

"A playful selection of tiles with robust fixtures create functional bathrooms and a laundry that are suitable for family living."

By leaning into the mid-century character of the home, the architects and designers have created a warm, vibrant home that's packed full of personality. Sensitive updates and the insertion of new windows has created a home that is perfect for modern living and proves the ongoing flexibility and functionality of the many post-war government-built homes.