A Frame House
A Frame
The A Frame House, Anglesea 2006 - 2008
The A-Frame is a considered architectural intervention to a distinctive three-storey A-frame home built in 1984. Located on a compact suburban site, the original building offered spatial drama but lacked the openness and flexibility required by the current occupants. Our alterations introduce a new open-plan living zone to the southern end of the first floor, achieved by extending beyond the original footprint with a newly constructed vertical wall — a formal counterpoint to the steep angles of the original roofline.
To the same elevation, a carport has been integrated into the new wall, designed not only for utility but to respond carefully to neighbouring amenity. The roofline of this addition is tapered, and a glazed opening is introduced within its cladding, ensuring that northern light continues to reach the southern neighbour’s property. The structure abuts an existing solid brick wall of the adjoining dwelling, ensuring minimal impact while maintaining privacy and access to daylight.
Material selection was driven by a desire for cohesion and quiet contrast. Timber weatherboards and Colorbond roof sheeting have been used to echo the palette of the existing dwelling, with new elements finished in complementary tones to create a harmonious composition. While clearly a contemporary addition, the intervention respects the character of the original A-frame form — its striking geometry enhanced by the measured introduction of new volumes.
The A-Frame project illustrates how minor formal shifts and material sensitivity can unlock new functionality and comfort within existing structures. The result is a home that feels both grounded and elevated — balancing the iconic silhouette of the original with a more open, generous way of living.
