Hermitage House reflects JAK Architecture’s commitment to minimal intervention with maximum impact. Rather than demolishing and rebuilding, the project centres on a material strategy capable of transforming the home while respecting its original structure. Robust limestone brick redefines the exterior envelope, strengthening its resilience, while crazy paving blurs the boundaries between inside and out.
When reimagining this four-bedroom home, the architects approached the project with sustainability and respect for the existing structure front of mind. Retention, rather than replacement, became the driving principle. “What I'm most proud of in this project is that 95% of the existing building still stands. We found a way to reuse, repurpose and avoid the existing materials ending up in landfill – and I think this is largely thanks to the materials we chose to make it more enduring.” Says, Jackson Wylie.
Made from robust limestone, Meda bricks were selected for both the external cladding and a feature wall inside. Their pale grey tone and elongated shape introduce linearity and cohesion across the home, while remaining durable enough to withstand the harsh coastal conditions. As sunlight moves across the façade, subtle shifts in colour and texture create depth and shadow, bringing a quiet sense of movement to the architecture. The slim face brick format also allowed sections to be laid vertically, forming gentle curves across the building’s exterior.
"We wanted a material that’s lasting and durable and, at the same time, has a little texture and tone, … When the sun hits the bricks in the morning, you see shadows, you see softness.” Jackson Wylie
Sarelle Crazy Paving complements the brickwork. Sandblasted and crafted from the same warm grey limestone, its irregular, organic forms offer a deliberate counterpoint to the precise geometry of the elongated bricks. Used extensively throughout the outdoor zones and landscaping, Sarelle helps dissolve the boundary between inside and out, a key ambition for the homeowners.
Through a restrained yet transformative material intervention, Hermitage House is secured well into the future. Robust limestone finishes form a protective outer layer, one that will soften with time while strengthening the building’s resilience.
“By using robust limestone bricks, we're able to create an extra layer of defence that this building is guaranteed to persevere well into the future.”
