Scene Construction

The clients purchased this large 3 story, heritage warehouse building in mid 2010.  Prior to settlement we had already been through the building with the interior designers at Hare+Klein and were well prepared to make a start on the project within a week of the owners settling.  

The existing building was in an almost dilapidated state.  Apart from substantial remediation work, the entire building was to be refurbished into a luxury residence, with an art studio and workshop on the ground floor.

Time was critical to the clients.  The arts studio was to be ready within six weeks of project commencement, as well as one level of upper levels becoming a temporary residence.  By Christmas the kitchen and outdoor deck area was to be ready for Christmas lunch.

The owners decided on a sea change two years later, and sold the property achieving the record price for a single dwelling warehouse in the Surry Hills area.

The project was featured shortly after completion in The (Sydney) Magazine, June 2011.

Interior design:          Hare + Klein

Structural Engineer:  Astroc

Project duration:        six months

When we took possession of this site it was in a totally dilapidated state.  The owners, Maree & Steven Conley of interior designers Conley & Co. had a vision of transforming this blank slate into their dream home that would display some of the finest items their business specialised in, French Provincial Antiques.  Apart from the loose items of furniture that would be brought in upon completion, several items were built into the structure such as antique steel framed windows & doors, antique balustrades for the staircase and antique chandeliers.

The project was featured in Vogue Living Australia, 2011 special edition in a Before + After article.

Architect: Peter Nemmes, T2T Design

Engineer: Jo Natoli

Interior Design: Maree Conley, Conley & Co.

Project duration:  9 months  

This was a very challenging project both from a structural perspective but also due to access constraints.  The existing building was to be almost entire demolished, leaving only the garage structure and one wall along the northern side maintaining the close set back from the boundary.  To further complicate the task of maintaining stability of the retailed wall, the footing had to be removed and the internal floor level lowered.  A beach access right of way had to be maintained for neighbouring properties, and access to the site was via a steep winding driveway that only small trucks could navigate.

Every element in the structure had to be built with zero tolerance, as al the windows, doors and joinery spanned floor to ceiling.  The owners were determined to achieve an absolute minimalist look, so even the internal doors required completely concealed hinges that left no trace visible from either side of a closed door.

The finished residence features every mod con from hydronic heated stone floors, multi head reverse cycle air conditioning, complete home automation courtesy of a CBus system which controls every mechanical and electronic device in the building, a climate controlled wine cellar, boat shed and internal lift.

Completed in 2007, this new, 2 storey free standing home was designed by Architects Bruce Stafford & Associates. Although access was relatively easy, the engineering was not due to poor soil conditions, an extremely high water table, and a deep excavation along the rear boundary for the new pool and courtyard. The first 3 months of the project was spent demolishing, piling, shoring and excavating, before actual construction of the house could commence.

The home features fully ducted reverse cycle air conditioning, heated bathroom floors, motorized external blinds, all controlled by a Cbus Home automation System, and a heated swimming pool.

Architect:  Bruce Stafford & Associates

Engineer:  Geoff Nines Fong & Partners

Construction duration: 12 months

A renovation & total refurbishment of an apartment in a building built in the 1960’s. The apartment appeared to be in its original state, untouched for some 50 years. After removing the walls between the entry, kitchen & dining room to open these areas, the existing balcony was enclosed in double glazed low e glass to create the study area. The entire apartment was stripped bare and new reverse cycle air conditioning installed throughout. New ceilings were installed in all rooms and the parquetry floors were installed on soundproof insulation to comply with strata by laws. The apartment was completely rewired and re-plumbed including the replacement of the hotwater tank heater with instantaneous gas hot water heater to free up valuable storage space. As the owners art collection was to be a major item on display in the finished product, flat screen televisions in both the living room and master bedroom were retractable into joinery units below.

Construction duration: 7 months

Architect: Mike Vail

Interior Design: Alexandra Brown

One of our first projects in the inner west, the single storey Victorian terrace was to be restored to its original state only from the street elevation. Once inside the front door the building was almost completely removed and rebuilt. The finished home features 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, reverse cycle air conditioning, rainwater tank for garden irrigation and black butt timber floors throughout. Plumbing and electrical installations were completely renewed.

Architect Jacquie Ezer took over the project after council approval for administration of the contract and detailed design. The approved design did not ‘work’ in many aspects however Jacquie worked with us to overcome many of these issues without compromising the home in any way. The project as whole was truly a team effort of builder, architect, engineer and our team of carpenters at All in One Carpentry.

Completion: February 2012

Project Duration: 9 months

Architect: Jacquie Ezer – Ezer Styles Architecture

A refurbishment of an existing townhouse in Paddington, original built in 2000. The project was almost entirely an internal refurbishment, designed by Hare & Klein.  A small amount of structural works were undertaken to enlarge openings and reconfigure the powder room, kitchen and butlers pantry area, but majority of the project was all about finishes.

We have completed several projects over the years with Hare & Klein and have always been impressed by the professionalism of the documentation, and the brilliant use of material and colour. The client mentioned prior to commencement that she wanted the Hare & Klein look, and from past experience we knew exactly what that meant. We worked with Hare & Klein closely throughout the project to ensure this was delivered just as the client intended.

Project Duration: 5 months

Interior Design: Hare + Klein

Engineer: Alba & Associates

Insert content here.

Completed in May 2018, this project involved demolition of most of the existing terrace building leaving just the front two rooms beneath the existing tiled roof. The rear extension is a two storey reinforced concrete and brick structure with floor to ceiling glazing throughout and aluminium cladding panels. The building is supported by 39 steel screw piles extending approximately four metres into the ground and structural design accommodated loads for a 3rd floor to be added at a future date.

The attic area in the front section was converted into a large storeroom area with the floor being lowered in one section to maximise head height. The ground floor is compliant with the requirements of AS1428.1 2009 – Design for Access and Mobility and includes disabled facilities. The rear addition was designed with external walls right up to the boundaries on all sides, which proved challenging especially on the street frontage where only narrow scaffold was permitted by Council in order to maintain footpath traffic.

Project duration: 10 months

Architect: Bureau SRH

Structural Engineer: Engineering Studio

Access & Mobility Consultant: Wall to Wall Design & Consulting

This renovation of an existing terrace involved mainly internal works over 2 levels, however the rear glass roof was replaced and re-detailed to improve aesthetics and thermal qualities. The works include 1st floor bathroom strip out and refit, reconfiguration of the back ground floor area to incorporate a laundry and bathroom, replacement of windows with louvres, new kitchen and a total refurbishment of the entire interior including joinery, renewal of all electrical works, alarm, instantaneous gas heating, fireplaces and an attic storage area. The rear courtyard / carport area was also paved in slate cobblestones.

Completion: November 2016

Project duration: 5 months

The existing structure was a single story semi detached residence that was poorly laid out and in a considerably deteriorated state. The new design involved complete gutting of the existing shell, extension to the rear and a full second storey addition over the entire ground floor area. 1st floor balconies were added to both the front and rear bedrooms on the first floor.

The project was completed while the owner lived interstate and the contract was administered by the architect.

Completion: September 2016

Project duration: 9 months

Architect: LRY Architects

Structural Engineer: Partridge Partners

This project involved re-configuration of the kitchen and dining area, new kitchen joinery with island bench, built in fireplace, staining and coating of all ground floor timber floors, repainting of the ground floor areas. The following year we returned to undertake external roof flashing repairs and paint the external parts of the building.

Completion: November 2012

Project duration: 10 weeks

Architect: Valencic + Associates

Due to the urgency of the owners wanting to start this project ASAP, we commenced works in the week before Christmas 2014, and resumed works in the first week of January. The project involved gutting of the rear two storey wing of the existing terrace house, minor internal wall reconfigurations, addition of a 1st floor bathroom, renovation of the downstairs bathroom, new laundry & kitchen, opening up of one whole side of the kitchen with floor to ceiling sliding doors, new bifold doors off the formal dining room and structural landscaping to the rear courtyard.

Completion: May 2015

Project duration: 21 weeks

Architect: MCK Architects

Structural Engineer: SDA Structures Pty Ltd

Completed in February 2020, this 1890’s terrace had a structure that was almost in original form. The ground floor required extensive structural works to remove all internal walls and the external wall at the rear, which required underpinning to retain the breezeway on the upper level.

The original staircase was retained due to Heritage requirements but reversed to suit the new layout. An attic addition incorporated a master bedroom, wardrobe area and ensuite bathroom. The light well extends from the ground floor to the attic level and provides excellent ventilation and heat escape through the automatic opening skylight at the top, which is controlled by rain sensor to close in inclement weather. It also allows natural light to stream down through what would normally be the darker center of this style of terrace house.

Architect: Studio Schelp

Project Management: All in Project Management

Engineer: SDA Structures

Project duration: 11 months