Their ideas included: retaining internal heritage features, a new basement (gym, cellar and theatre), a glass bridge connecting the main house to the study that would sit above a rear garage, plus an aspect to the backyard and its river red gum tree. Importantly, they wanted a two-storey extension with multiple living zones and bedrooms that was modern yet sympathetic to the period. In doing this, Scott says, you get ‘the best of both worlds’.
‘If you keep heritage details, such as high skirting boards and ceiling roses, then add modern light fittings and furniture, you create a soft transition into a contemporary addition,’ he says. ‘You can appreciate the original structure and the time it was built, but it’s not as stark as you enter the new part of the home.’
After a career completing heritage renovation/additions, Scott has a firm understanding of what it takes to successfully transform these properties. In his early 20s as a carpenter contractor, he learnt how to restore heritage homes to their former glory under the tutorage of an older Scottish builder, and with a developing passion and skillset, he consciously pursued this niche building work for several decades. Today, his company
Technique Construction Group takes on about six custom contracts per year, relying on a team of 10 carpenters, apprentices, as well as a core set of trades and artisans.
‘We pull the whole house down almost to the ground except for the front facade and rebuild them back up,’ Scott says. ‘All the guys enjoy the pressure these projects bring. Whether it is tight access, uncovering old wells underneath slabs or finding the existing house isn’t as structurally sound as first thought – every property has its challenges.’