Places and Spaces: This Historic Italianate Terrace in Tasmania Is Now a Contemporary Glass Greenhouse

January 28, 2020 by Rory Carter

I take back anything I've said previously—this is actually my dream home. Why is it that every project from Tasmania I come across is out of this world in terms of contemporary thinking and respectful heritage preservation? There's definitely something in the water down there. Case in point: The Green House by Bence Mulcahy. This project has been nominated for more awards than Billie Eilish at the Grammys and it's no surprise why. In what could be described as having the best of both worlds, the owners of this incredible slice of Tasmanian paradise were able to maintain the integrity of their original 1900s Italianate terrace house while servicing their love for the outdoors with a jaw-dropping glass extension that is the perfect place to enjoy a coffee/take a nap/conduct a business meeting and literally anything else. Take a scroll through the incredible images below. You know you want to.

With an ethos of partnership and a knack for pushing the boundaries, the Tasmanian team have accomplished something completely unique with this project. Starting with a brief to create a space that was 'engulfed by garden', they have delivered just that with a brand new two-storey greenhouse-style extension that lets you mingle with the treetops through double-height windows. To sweeten the deal further, a floating box above houses a private parents retreat that's basically a grown-up treehouse. This contemporary addition to the home sits peacefully beside the original home and gently connects itself via the existing verandah. Ornamental balustrades juxtapose a sleek black facade and provide your eye with visual interest at any angle.

This whimsical home not only provides interesting vistas internally but is also positioned to take advantage of views that can only be described as breathtaking. From Hobart down to River Derwent, it's nothing but sage, pine and every other variation of green as far as the eye can see. Inside, similar shades of emerald make an appearance in painted walls and custom drapery. When we say this place is a greenhouse, we mean it quite literally. Long wooden floorboards work beautifully with the horizontal lines of the timber island bench and a plethora of open shelves for storing kitchen essentials. A combination of modern wicker pendants and vintage dining furniture completes the eccentric aesthetic and ensures that things remain cosy despite the new extension's scale. The architects were committed to working with local specialists in their field, employing the talents of a ceramicist, blacksmith and even a heritage plasterer to produce an authentic and high-quality result. As well as being astounding to look at, the greenhouse is naturally ventilated and double glazed for energy efficiency. So, forget what anyone told you—living amongst the trees in a glass box is completely possible.