The design brief
Convert a closed in and redundant industrial storage unit into a bright new dual occupancy home and photographer’s studio.
The development owner’s stipulation was for a grand house with open plan, contemporary and low maintenance living spaces. It was important to incorporate maximum light and to include a professional photographic studio, a separate granny flat and private outdoor space for relaxation and elegant entertaining.
The challenge
Converting this land-locked ‘Storage King’ facility into a grand house with separate in-law accommodation presented Plan Ahead Designs with a series of uncommon challenges. Whilst redefining this industrial building’s usage, the resulting new home’s design needed to incorporate the eccentricities and aspirations of its creative new residents.
A storage facility provides plenty of scope for reassigning interior space however, to become more sympathetic to its new life as a family dwelling, and sit more comfortably within its predominantly residential environment the structure’s utilitarian exterior demanded softening. Accessible only through a narrow laneway, totally surrounded by no less than 16 established residences and with the warehouse extending to the site’s perimeter boundaries, the building possessed no exterior attributes or outlooks to take advantage of.
As the owners travelled frequently through the planning process, much of the decision making was supported by 3D modelling and PDF’s exchanged via e-mail.
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The planned solution
Plan Ahead Designs developed and presented a number of initial schemes, once selected the preferred solution’s plans were submitted to council with the pre development application. Following council’s assessment, negotiations and recommendations Plan Ahead Design’s final documents were prepared in support of the owner’s building conversion DA.
Beneficial enhancements to the original draft plans were realised as a result of Plan Ahead Design’s constructive collaboration with the project’s other professional consultants. Geotechnical, structural and hydraulic engineers all made positive contributions, as well as the property’s surveyors, to optimise the building conversion’s residential potential.
To make certain the conversion met the owners’ high expectations Plan Ahead Designs encouraged both property owners’ interest in an active role in the design process. Although they travelled frequently their creative aspirations were responded to via the internet as Plan Ahead emailed PDF files and uploaded 3D computer models that assisted in the practical reassignment of existing structures and establishing workable landscaping ideas.
The resulting outcome
Optimising the potential of this industrial building’s altered purpose in accordance with the owners’ intentions and in compliance with local planning and development legislation was achieved without compromise.
The resulting buildings provide their occupants with a bespoke photographic studio and bright contemporary living accommodation that flows into a sundrenched private courtyard garden that capitalised on Sydney’s indoor/outdoor living and entertaining lifestyle.
Plan Ahead Design’s continuous mediation between the development’s owners and the local government authorities was key in realising the final dream. Through consultation Plan Ahead Design created both a functional and visually pleasing contemporary home and studio, in keeping with its neighbouring amenities.
To discuss and resolve your building conversion plans, contact Rocco Raso today on the links below.