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Betty House

Betty House is the revitalisation of a Ex-Government House, colloquially referred to as an ‘ex-govie’, for a growing young family.

Project Type

House Alterations & Additions

Studio

Josh Mulford Architects

Status

Completed 2023

Awards

Currently shortlisted in the Australian Institute of Architects ACT Chapter Awards 2024 - Residential (Alterations and Additions)

Betty House
Betty House

Located in the leafy suburb of Curtin, Canberra, the modest original 1965 build suffered piecemeal additions in the 1970s at the front and rear of the house, that were formal in nature and lacked connectivity between social spaces.

The key move that unlocked the potential of the house was relocating the kitchen to the centre of the house. Dining and living were combined in the ‘back room’ and directly connected to the kitchen, and the previous kitchen and dining wing was converted into the parents retreat.

Working within a tight budget, this move allowed a 3 bedroom + 1 bathroom house to be internally reconfigured to a 4 bedroom + 2 bathroom house without extending the building footprint in any way, creating the maximum effect with an economy of moves.

Betty House
Betty House
Betty House
Betty House

Robust materials such as timber and concrete were implemented to age well over time and complement the existing interior spaces that featured timber parquetry flooring and timber clad ceilings.

Betty House
Betty House
Betty House

In the kitchen the palette of blackbutt timber benchtops and shelves, eucalyptus green cabinetry, and grounding terracotta tiles provide a warmth and richness that echoes the natives of the Australian bush. The finely detailed timber overhead shelves allow the owner’s to curate the display of the kitchen and provides a sense of lightness and patterning to the interior.

The use of timber is carried through to all areas of the interior. Large timber thresholds frame existing openings, a bookshelf is inserted into a previously internalised window, the walk-in-robe picks up the fine timber detailing of the kitchen shelves, and bathroom mirror cabinets are framed with timber.

Betty House
Betty House

Economical tiles are used in the bathrooms. In the shared bathroom, a datum line is established with the top of the bath where a tray of forrest green tiles stops to create a heavy base, used as a spatial device to make the space feel larger than it actually is.

Betty House
Betty House
Betty House
Betty House
Betty House

This fresh revitalisation to the classic ‘ex-govie’ provides an example of a high-quality sustainable alternative to the often large and expensive knock-down rebuilds in the Canberra suburbs.

Photography

Anne Stroud Photography

Publications

To view the Habitus Living review of the project, please click on the following link

Arthur Alley Studio
Arthur Alley Studio
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Josh Mulford Architects are a Sydney and Canberra based architecture studio focused on bespoke residential and commercial projects.

We believe in a collaborative approach to design, working with our clients to skilfully guide their project from inception to completion. We are passionate about good design and elegant space-making as a means for enriching our client’s daily lives.

Click on the following link to find out more.

Betty House
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Starting a new project or want to collaborate?

Get in touch on 0405 235 334 or email us.

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