23 Adelaide Street East Launceston TAS 7250

My primary concern with this extension is its sensitivity to the original property - a handsome corner house in a set of six, built by well known colonial builder James Bennell in 1870 ( not circa 1850 as stated).
Please refer to my book "For the Record. James Bennell's Buildings in Early Launceston", chapters 8 and 9 for a detailed reference to this house, its context and history. A copy was donated to the Launceston City Council to help in renovation, restoration and development issues.

Twenty-three Adelaide Street is unique among the others in the row in that it has been altered relatively little in its history, has retained the original rear kitchen wing, and has a substantial side street boundary. It is a remarkable survivor because it has had the good luck of sensitive owners.
Any extension to this property should be sensitive to the original house in height, scale, form and materials.

The scale and gable form of the extension are suitable but the materials are a concern: combining walls and roof in dark toned zinc sheet or iron is a heavy, masculine, even brutalist choice, at odds with the fine proportions of the house's Victorian Regency style so typical of James Bennell.

The floor height of the extension - apparently raised for reasons of damp - has repercussions which are unfortunate. It complicates the link between the old and new buildings and prevents the extension from 'planting' into the surrounding garden without the large block of raised lawn.
Suitable foundations can deal with damp ground without raising floor levels. It has been done successfully in my own Bennell house.

The owners naturally wish to extend their home to incorporate modern living space but it is a shame that the original chimney and southern wall of the existing kitchen wing should be removed entirely for the addition. Cracking brickwork and the lack of a damp course are not reasons for demolition.

A gentler lighter addition is a kinder choice for this beautiful house.