Tour | Canberra Open Homes | Bookend Addition | Studio Heim

Bookings Essential

Join us for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of one of the award-winning houses from the 2024 Australian Institute of Architects, ACT Architecture Awards, Bookend Addition. Bookending the front and rear of an existing mid century Seidler-inspired dwelling are 2 interventions that respect the original design. At the front an undercroft area has been infilled to provide storage and a place for creative pursuits. At the rear a contrasting 2-storey form holds new living and sleeping spaces. 

Overcoming a challenging position on a wedge-shaped block, the new form is like a Tetris piece that hugs the existing dwelling while stepping to work with boundary setbacks. As a deliberate contrast to the existing dwelling's cream brick, the new addition is clad in vertical Shou Sugi Ban, with a base of cream bricks, salvaged from a removed section of the rear façade, blending old and new together. 

Bookend Addition is a light touch approach that enhances the dwelling’s liveability with a striking light-filled form that makes the most of its unique position adjacent to bushland. 

Image Credit: Bookend Addition | Studio Heim | Photo by Mathew Sherren Photography