This was an extensive interior remodeling and upgrading of 2 units of townhouses that was originally entered separately from the front but interlocks between the front and back and extends up to three levels. The original layout was cellular and extremely lacking in natural light and ventilation that was crucial in a tropical climate, hence the dark spaces and mouldy walls. The owner wished to convert the entire ground and first floor to act as one 3-bedroom unit and create a 2-bedroom ‘granny flat’ on the 2nd floor, with a separate access.
This required the removal of one of the original internal staircases for the townhouse and building another stair, which can be accessed externally, to the top flat. The old staircase was transformed into an airwell that allowed natural light and air down into the depths of the 2 units, allowing the living spaces on the ground floor and the rooms above to ‘breathe’ again. The original dark and damp rooms were re-arranged such that every room had access to natural light and cross ventilation. Windows were enlarged to form full-height openings, and concrete hoods cast to provide shelter and character to the façade.
The front access to the house was also re-designed to allow better use of the garden and a simple system of rainwater collection was introduced to the rear shared garden.
