While heritage formality at the front and modern functionality at the back is a pretty familiar refrain for older houses, Blanchfield played into the site’s duality, using it to shape her approach. “While the front engages with a highly urban, heritage streetscape, the rear opens to a surprisingly lush, almost hidden garden setting,” she explains, demonstrating why the project’s nickname, Grove, is well earnt. Working to such a tight footprint, while challenging, propelled Blanchfield and team to capitalise on vertical space, and draw in light from the rear and above to create the sensation of openness.
