ALDER ETC
With more than fifteen years experience as an architect both in Australia and abroad, Michael Alder established himself as a Sydney based sole practitioner in 2008, soon growing to become ‘Alder Etc’. In early 2014, Alder Etc relocated to Michael’s home town of Newcastle with current projects in the Hunter Region, Sydney and the Blue Mountains. Alder Etc specialises in private home projects of any scale, with a focus on considered designs of the highest quality and attentive client service.
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Projects:
Potts Point Apartment
Potts Point, Sydney, 2010
The brief was to unify and upgrade two adjacent apartments to better suit the contemporary lifestyle and needs of a young family. Apartments in this significant Art Deco building retain a sense of their heritage character with cypress pine parquet flooring, simple interior detailing, and mostly original bathrooms. To capitalise on these features, interventions are clearly expressed as new elements suspended between the flooring below and the original cornices above. Aspect and harbour views made the northern apartment the logical choice for kitchen, dining and living spaces. New wall openings allow the kitchen to be more generous, sharing the space and views available from the living room. While one apartment has become the ‘public wing’, the other has become the ‘private wing’. A service lobby, the only possible option for connecting the apartments, has been dressed as a dramatic transition space between the two. The second kitchen has been transformed into a laundry with abundant linen storage. The living space has been converted into a bedroom with bespoke robe storage. An adjoining dining space is now a study which takes advantage of the views. Refurbishment has successfully given the apartments a new lease of life without compromising their unique character. Photography by Anson Smart.
Hurlstone Park House
Hurlstone Park, Sydney, 2012
This suburban home required considerable internal reconfigurations to resolve the confusion of spaces brought about by years of eccentric alterations. Rather than strip all of the layers of character built up over time, various existing elements were kept intact to both assist with budget and maintain some of the ecclectic character of this loved family home. New construction includes the kitchen and living space with a strong connection to the rear yard, and an ensuite to complete the first floor master suite.
Balmain House
Balmain, Sydney, 2012
The substantial alterations and additions to this Balmain terrace house included demolition of the rear of the existing structure, construction of a new two storey addition, and restoration and reconfiguration of the retained streetfront structure. The design and Development Application were already in place when I was engaged to further develop the original design, providing the detail required by the contractor, and administer the contract during construction. Original design by Dane Everett. Photography by Michael Alder.
