Architect Gemma Wheeler faced a unique challenge in turning an old chapel into a home. The chapel was small and had big windows placed high up, making it tricky to convert into a livable space. Wheeler aimed to create a three-bedroom home within an 80-square-meter area, but the window placement posed a challenge.
One idea was to split the house into two floors by lowering the ceiling and raising the floor. However, this meant that no room on the second floor would have access to windows. Another proposal involved raising the floors, creating unused space below the ground floor.
The final plan was more practical: digging a bit deeper to build a new room below ground level, serving as the main entrance.
In the finalized design, the living area is on the ground floor, with a platform for the “ground floor area.” The spaces are open, allowing natural light from the windows to brighten the dining area and kitchen.
The second floor features two bedrooms separated by a closet system, with a creatively designed bathroom lacking windows. The top floor has another bedroom with skylight windows and a small toilet area.
Overall, the design efficiently uses the space and received praise for its creativity.
Some comments highlighted the architect’s imagination and practical skills, calling the design architecturally brilliant and a rare display of both creativity and practicality.
